Ugly win over Griffons keeps EP on upward curve, says Coetzee

It may not have been perfect, but an ugly 31-28 win over the Griffons enabled EP to continue their late-season revival in Welkom on Saturday, Elephants coach Allister Coetzee said.

After thrashing the Border Bulldogs 71-14 in their previous outing, the Elephants had to dig deep before they were able to subdue the tenacious Purple People Eaters on their home ground.

Though EP are out of the running for a top four SA Cup finish and promotion to the Currie Premier Division, Saturday’s win will give the Elephants a boost before the Currie Cup First Division kicks off.

It was EP’s third win of the season, and they will be keen to end the season on a high note when they face the high-riding Boland Cavaliers in Wellington on Saturday.

EP, who held a 24-14 halftime lead, produced a fighting second half showing to emerge with the spoils.

EP must be clinical and keep mistakes to a minimum when they face the Griffons in what is expected to be a hard-nosed set-piece battle in Welkom on Saturday, says Elephants coach Allister Coetzee. After romping to a 71-14 win over the hapless Border Bulldogs in their previous SA Cup outing, EP are expecting a much tougher clash against the Griffons (kickoff 3pm). It was EP’s second win of the season after seven rounds, and has given them a boost ahead of their remaining matches against the Griffons and Boland Cavaliers. EP outscored Border by 11 tries to two on what proved to be another difficult afternoon for the embattled side from KuGompo City. EP’s try scorers against the Bulldogs were Mpho Ntsane (3), Kamvelihle Fatyela (3), Troy Delport (2), Richman Gora, Jaydon Bantom and Jac van der Walt. “The boys will reset after the win over the Border Bulldogs,” Coetzee said. “Our squad have hung in all season and worked hard. “Every Monday the squad reset, and there is always a plan and a great training session to start the week. They kept on digging to get to their best by cutting out mistakes and improving their game knowledge every week. “It is important we start afresh every week and it will be the same ahead of the Griffons game. It is never easy going to Welkom and also there is an altitude factor. “It will be a harder surface compared to the one we played on against the Bulldogs at the Madibaz Stadium. “I am expecting a massive set-piece battle and if you make mistakes, the Griffons will punish you. We will definitely be in the fight in the set-piece duel and we must be clinical.” EP want to play with accuracy, determination and a high tempo so that we can determine the momentum in the game. Against the Bulldogs our lineouts were outstanding, as well as our mauling Coetzee said EP’s last two SA Cup games will be vital to ensure the Elephants are well prepared for their Currie Cup First Division campaign, which kicks off after the SA Cup. “The last two games are so important to build on what we started against the Bulldogs,” he said. “The focus will switch to how we want to play in the Currie Cup. I have seen how these players have learnt and grown, and that will put us in good stead for the Currie Cup. “EP want to play with accuracy, determination and a high tempo so that we can determine the momentum in the game. Against the Bulldogs our lineouts were outstanding, as well as our mauling.” The Griffons are licking their wounds after they slumped to a 45–24 defeat against the SWD Eagles at Outeniqua Park last week. The Eagles built a solid platform in the opening half, going into the break with a 19-10 advantage. Tries by Nico Leonard and Rosco Syster, along with a powerful finish from Dylan de Leeuw, gave the hosts control, while Fred Zeilinga added two conversions. The Griffons remained in touch through a penalty goal by Dehovine Johannes and a late try from Larren Buys, converted by Johannes. The home side turned the screws after the break, running in four more tries as their forward pack and backline combined effectively. Weekend fixtures Saturday: Falcons v Leopards; Griffons v EP Elephants; Griquas v SWD Eagles; Border Bulldogs v Cheetahs. Sunday: Pumas v Boland Cavaliers Log (all teams have played seven matches) Griquas 35; Pumas 28; SWD Eagles 27; Boland Cavaliers 25; Cheetahs 25; Falcons 19; EP Elephants 12; Griffons 11; Leopards 7; Border Bulldogs 0. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

The Elephants’ points came from wing Lwandile Maphuko (2), Diego Williams and a penalty try.

Flyhalf Garth April booted three conversions and a penalty.

“Having a win under the belt made the long bus trip home to Gqeberha from Welkom much more pleasant and seem a bit shorter,” Coetzee said.

“I’m really proud of the players for pulling this one off.

“It was not perfect, and I would describe it as an ugly win.

“But it was a necessary win for the Elephants.

“It is special in that we have not had a win here in Welkom in a long time.”

Coetzee said EP had adapted well after some reshuffling of the team had been required.

“Like I have been saying, there is big progress being made in this team despite the absence of centre Troy Delport, whose contract has ended.

“Troy was our vice-captain and a mainstay in this EP side.

EP achieved their goal of putting the Border Bulldogs to bed in a potentially catastrophic banana skin match when they emerged emphatic 71-14 winners in an SA Cup rugby encounter, relieved Elephants coach Allister Coetzee said. It was EP’s second win of the season after seven rounds and has given them a boost ahead of their remaining matches against the Griffons and Boland Cavaliers. The Bulldogs, who have yet to register a point, remained rooted to the bottom of the log after a humiliating defeat at the Madibaz Stadium in Gqeberha against their arch-rivals. “The thing about this Border game is that when you put up a big score, people say it is expected,” Coetzee said. “If you lose it, then you are in big trouble, and it is a banana peel. “This was about EP and our growth and not about the opposition. “We knew this was the so-called Eastern Cape derby, and I said to the players it should not be this big derby thing. “No, because you trained right and the plan is right, so you must go and execute and put them to bed, and they did just that.” Coetzee said EP had to contend with major injury problems ahead of the clash. “In total we had eight starting players out,” he said. “We have depth in the squad, and the new players brought in an unbelievable energy and accuracy we have been striving to get all season. “EP want to play with accuracy, determination and a high tempo so we can determine the momentum in the game. “Against the Bulldogs our lineouts were outstanding as well as our mauling “There is a good mix with forwards and backs, and the guys coming off the bench did a hell of a lot of damage as well. There is growth which I can see. “We had a tough start to the season, and this is not an easy Border side to play against. “I think this is the biggest score EP has put on Border by far, and we also had all the injuries to contend with. “It shows this EP team has learnt resilience in that when they are down, they get back on the horse and come back. “That is a sign the guys are getting mature in certain aspects of the game.” Disappointed Border Bulldogs coach Dumisani Mhani said: “We are hurting after this loss. “We have to put our heads together and plan the way forward. “The Bulldogs lost to a better-organised team. “We have to pick ourselves up for the last two games and prepare for the Currie Cup First Division, which starts shortly. “If we are not positive, we won’t achieve anything.” EP, who led 26-7 at halftime, overpowered the Bulldogs with a strong second-half display of running rugby which carved open Border’s defence. The Bulldogs reduced the Elephants’ lead to 26-14 after 49 minutes before the floodgates opened with a torrent of tries. EP outscored Border by 11 tries to two on another difficult afternoon for the embattled side from KuGompo City. Scorers: EP Elephants 71: Tries: Mpho Ntsane (3), Kamvelihle Fatyela (3), Troy Delport (2), Richman Gora, Jaydon Bantom, Jac van der Walt. Conversions: Maxwell Klaaasen (3), Garth April (4), Troy Delport. Border Bulldogs 14: Tries: Simthembile Zozi (2). Conversions: Isiphe Mbini (2). Other scores: Griquas 44 Pumas 34, SWD Eagles 45 Griffons 24, Falcons 43 Cheetahs 36, Leopards 12 Boland Cavaliers 33. Log (all teams have played seven matches): Griquas 35, Pumas 28, SWD Eagles 27, Boland Cavaliers 25, Cheetahs 25, Falcons 19, EP Elephants 12, Griffons 11, Leopards 7, Border Bulldogs 0. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“We had Liyema Matyolweni starting at 13, and he only played for 17 minutes before he had to be replaced because of a hamstring injury.

“With all the reshuffling in the team, we adapted really well.

“Considering the adversity EP faced, to pull this one off was really huge in the context of where we are going as a team.

“Just getting over the line and grinding it out at altitude is another factor to consider.

“Our discipline was outstanding, and the Griffons had two yellow cards in the game.

“This shows how we have grown as a team this season.”

Thanks to their win, EP are seventh on the 10-team log with 17 points from seven outings.

Border’s miserable season continued when they slumped to an 87-5 loss to the Cheetahs at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday.

The Cheetahs ran in 13 tries and led 47-5 at the break.

Wing Michael Annies scored four tries, Rewan Kruger and Louis van der Westhuizen each scored twice, while Cohen Jasper, Juan Smal, Sisonke Vumazonke, Ramon Uys and Tielman Nieuwoudt completed the rout.

Border’s solitary try was scored by Mbasa Nkonki just before half-time.

The Bulldogs play the Falcons in their final SA Cup game of the season at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium next week.

Weekend fixtures:

Friday: Cheetahs vs Griquas, Pumas vs Griffons. Saturday: Boland Cavaliers vs EP Elephants, SWD Eagles vs Leopards, and Border Bulldogs vs Falcons.

• Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world.

The Herald