Griquas fight back to down Boland in 14-try Kimberley thriller

THE SUZUKI Griquas bounced back from last week’s stinging defeat to the Pumas by overpowering the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers 48–39 in a free-flowing Currie Cup clash at Suzuki Park in a breezy but pleasant Kimberley on Sunday.

Coming into the match, Griquas were under pressure after a 49–28 loss in Nelspruit, where ill-discipline and three yellow cards cost them dearly. But they found their rhythm on home turf, overcoming a 15-point half-time deficit with a stirring second-half surge to outscore Boland eight tries to six.

Boland, fresh off a surprise 35–32 win over the Cheetahs in Wellington, threatened to make it two-from-two in their return to the Premier Division. They turned a 19–10 deficit into a commanding 34–19 half-time lead thanks to five tries in the space of 10 minutes, including a double from winger Donavan Don, who would go on to claim a hat-trick.

But Griquas responded with intensity and precision after the break, with tries from scrumhalf Caleb Abrahams (two), winger Gurshwin Wehr and hooker Tiaan Lange turning the tide in their favour.

Carl Els led a standout forward performance, racking up a game-high 15 carries and dominating the breakdown as the hosts kept Boland scoreless in the final quarter.

A match of wild momentum swings

Throughout the game, it was punch and counter-punch, starting when Griquas opened the scoring through Dylan Maart, finishing off a counter started by Wehr. Boland then struck back with a dazzling solo effort by centre Lunathi Nxele (7–5).

However, a rolling maul gave Griquas their second five-pointer, Lourens Oosthuizen dotting down (12–7). Wehr then added a third after a dominant scrum, extending the hosts’ lead to 19–10.

Boland then erupted with four tries in quick succession via David Brits (restart blunder), Donavan Don (twice, including an intercept), and Marcqiewn Titus (turnover pace) to go 34–19 up at the break.

One can only guess what the half-time talk was like in the home dressing room, but you can bet it had added spice, because Griquas hit back hard in the second half — Abrahams scoring twice and Wehr again finishing after a sweeping attack to reclaim the lead at 36–34.

Don then bagged his third against the run of play, putting Boland ahead again at 39–36.

But the hosts finished stronger, with Lange and replacement Ig Prinsloo crashing over to seal the win 48–39.

While both sides were guilty of sloppy moments — Griquas conceding 18 turnovers and Boland missing 52 tackles — the spectacle delighted the Kimberley crowd with 14 tries and end-to-end action.

Boland captain Marlyn Williams admitted his side were “gutted” to surrender a healthy half-time lead and lamented their error count. For Griquas, it was a timely return to winning ways in front of their home fans, and a statement of intent ahead of the next round.

Scorers:

Griquas 48 (19) — Tries: Dylan Maart, Lourens Oosthuizen, Gurshwin Wehr (2), Caleb Abrahams (2), Tiaan Lange, Ig Prinsloo.Conversions: George Whitehead (4)

Boland 39 (34) — Tries: Lunathi Nxele, David Brits, Donavan Don (3), Marcqiewn Titus. Conversions: James Tedder (3). Penalties: James Tedder