The match, which will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Currie Cup First Division final, will be hosted at the Fanie du Toit Stadium in Potchefstroom, where the teams will set the scene for the main match of the day between the Jaguares XV and the senior Down Touch Griffons team.
Both teams advanced through the pool stages of the competition with a clean-sweep of victories, and while the Welkom outfit powered their way to a 51-33 victory against Boland at home in their semi-final over the weekend, the EP Elephants had to dig deep for their 31-26 victory against the Phakisa Pumas in Despatch.
Down Touch Griffons scrumhalf Max Williamson scored a brace in the semi-final, while flyhalf Jan Strydom scored a try and kicked four conversions, and centre Franco Smith contributed a try, conversion and two penalty goals, which proved vital as they outscored Boland seven tries to four.
A fine kicking display EP Elephants flyhalf Johan Lombaard – who slotted over three conversions and four penalty goals – steered them to victory against the Phakisa Pumas as they scored three tries to the visitors’ four.
These results, however, will have little significance on Friday as the teams give everything in the hope of lifting the trophy. The EP Elephants, in particular, will draw inspiration from the fact that their defensive statistics have been better than the Down Touch Griffons this season, while their attacking stats have been close as well. The final kicks off at 15h30.
Scorers:
Down Touch Griffons 51 (19) Boland 33 (18)
Down Touch Griffons – Tries: Brandon Botha, Max Williamson (2), Jan Strydom, Franco Smith, Martin Austen, Tiaan Fourie. Conversions: Jan Strydom (4), Franco Smith. Penalty Goals: Franco Smith (2).
Boland – Tries: Jevan August, Lloyd April, Mikyle Hanse, Bjorkan Hendricks. Conversions: Lloyd April (2). Penalty Goals: Lloyd April (2). Drop Goal: Lloyd April.
EP Elephants 31 (10) Phakisa Pumas 26 (7)
EP Elephants – Tries: Bevan Prinsloo, Lennox Holster, Sachin Toring. Conversions: Johan Lombaard (2). Penalty Goals: Johan Lombaard (4).
Phakisa Pumas – Tries: Jason Cornelius, Eben Odendal, Giovan Snyman, Lee Enslin. Conversions: Riekert Barnard (3).
