Eastern Province delivered a composed and tactically sound performance to defeat the Leopards 26-17 in their SA Cup clash. With four tries to two, the hosts took charge in the first half and held off a second-half fightback, despite a late yellow card and injury disruptions.
First Half: EP Build the Platform
The game began with early drama as Leopards suffered multiple injury blows in the opening 10 minutes, losing Mihlali Nchukana, Jason Alexander, and Dries Du Preez.
The Leopards did draw first blood via a Charles Williams penalty (12′), but Eastern Province responded emphatically:
- Deon Plaatjies (26′) and Johannes Huisamen (31′) both crashed over after sustained forward pressure.
- Christian Humphries converted Huisamen’s try to give EP a 12-3 halftime lead.
Second Half: Leopards Fight, EP Finish
The visitors closed the gap in the second half with tries from Bryan Breda (52′) and Chris Van Heerden (79′), both converted by Williams.
However, Eastern Province always had the edge:
- Jayden Bantom (64′) produced a brilliant solo effort, and
- Wayne Ngubane (75′), off the bench, scored a late try to seal the result.
- Humphries remained perfect from the tee, converting all three second-half tries.
EP’s CJ Velleman received a late yellow card (79′), but the outcome was already beyond doubt.
Top Performers
- Christian Humphries (Eastern Province) – Controlled the game, kicking 4 conversions.
- Wayne Ngubane – Impact off the bench with the decisive fourth try.
- Charles Williams (Leopards) – Scored 7 points off the tee and guided the backline.
Final Thoughts
Eastern Province’s forward dominance and disciplined structure earned them a deserved win, while the Leopards’ effort was hampered by early injuries and defensive gaps. The Gqeberha outfit continues to grow in confidence in the 2025 SA Cup, while the Leopards will look to regroup after another hard-fought loss.
