The Boland Cavaliers beat the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, while there were also opening-round SA Cup wins for the Pumas, Valke, Griquas and Griffons.
Boland stunned the home side as they raced to a 24-0 half-time lead before closing out a deserved 34-24 victory.
The visitors struck early through Xavier Mitchell, Thurlow Marsh and Lunathi Nxele, while Juan Mostert controlled proceedings with the boot and a try of his own.
The Cheetahs fought back in the second half but the damage had already been done.
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The defending champion Pumas had to dig deep in George, overturning a 19-7 half-time deficit to edge Heyneke Meyer’s SWD Eagles 28-26 in a thriller.
The Eagles dominated the opening half, but the Pumas responded after the break with tries from Ntsika Fisanti, Valentino Wellman and Dalvon Blood to steal the win.
The Valke produced a composed performance to beat Eastern Province 29-23.
EP started brightly and led early, but the visitors’ forward power and a late try from Musa Tshabalala sealed a valuable away victory.
The biggest result of the round came in Kimberley where Griquas hammered the Leopards 101-7, running in 15 tries in a ruthless display.
Lourens Oosthuizen and Sako Makata both bagged hat-tricks in the rout.
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The Griffons completed a strong start to the season with a 36-17 win over the Border Bulldogs.
Chad Tshimanga starred with a hat-trick as the hosts powered clear before Border grabbed three late consolation tries.
Round two kicks off next Friday with the Leopards hosting the Cheetahs in Potchefstroom, while the Pumas welcome Eastern Province to Nelspruit.
The Eagles face the Bulldogs in Mdantsane on Saturday, and on Sunday the Cavaliers host the Griffons in Wellington.
SA Cup Round 1 results
Cheetahs 24 Boland Cavaliers 34
SWD Eagles 26 Pumas 28
Eastern Province 23 Valke 29
Griquas 101 Leopards 7
Griffons 36 Border Bulldogs 17
Photo: @TheCurrieCup/X
