Pieter Bergh’s charges turned Tafel Lager Park into a slow cooker, dominating territory and possession and sapping the energy out of the visitors in the first half to lead 14-3 at the break before running rampant in the second, scoring seven tries in all to wipe away the disappointment of their defeat to the Vodacom Bulls last time out.

The Peacock Blues’ place-kickers enjoyed a perfect afternoon, Zander du Plessis adding five conversions and replacement Prince Nkabinde slotting the final two to cap off a dominant display in the Diamond City.

The mass changes Mzwakhe Nkosi made to his Sigma Lions team provided fresh energy, with Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis adding invaluable experience and direction in his new captaincy role.  

The visitors fought valiantly but a brutal second quarter, in which they were forced to defend in their 22 for the most part, and a missed opportunity to capatilise when the hosts were down to 14 men, sucked the life out of them.  

The Sigma Lions fired the first shot by winning a dominant scrum penalty, which they used to set up an attacking lineout. The hosts held firm but not without conceding a penalty, which James Tedder popped over in the sixth minute. 

Tafel Lager Griquas made their intentions clear as they turned down two kickable penalties and while they applied good pressure, they came out of the red zone empty-handed after Mzwanele Zito was held up over the line. 

They’d get the opening try, though, thanks to a brilliant break by hot-stepping Rynhardt Jonker, who fed Munier Hartzenberg, with the flyer finishing well in the corner in the 16th minute. 

Having found their rhythm, the home team increased the tempo and were in for all money, however, Janru Sirgel spilled the pill with the try line at his mercy. The flank would get his try in the second half, though, and was named Champion of the Match for his tireless work rate.

Their disappointment doubled moments later when a potential try could not be awarded as it was inconclusive whether a burrowing Janu Botha had grounded the ball in the sea of bodies.

With four minutes to go before half-time, they finally got more reward for their territorial dominance as scrumhalf  Johan Mulder dove over under the posts for a seven-pointer.

A yellow card to towering lock Derik Pretorius for a high tackle on Manuel Rass gave the Sigma Lions a golden opportunity to score at a crucial time, but Tafel Lager Griquas’ composure and commitment saw them hold up

Ruan Venter over the line to head into the break with their 11-point lead intact.

The Sigma Lions’ inability to field the kick-off after the interval not only allowed the 14-man hosts to eat up time with ball-in-hand but saw impressive outside centre Sango Xamlashe power over for their third try to ‘win’ the 10-minute period without Pretorius.

That proved to be the blow that took the stuffing out of the visitors who went on to leak four more tries, Kudzwai Dude, Zito and Jonker all cashing in for the Peacock Blues, while James Mollentze and Divan Rossouw scored consolation tries for the Sigma Lions.

Scorers:

Tafel Lager Griquas 49 (14) – Tries: Munier Hartzenberg, Johan Mulder, Sango Xamlashe, Kudzwai Dude, Mzwanele Zito, Rynhardt Jonker, Hanru Sirgel. Conversions: Zander du Plessis (5), Prince Nkabinde (2).

Sigma Lions 17 (3) – Tries: James Mollentze, Divan Rossouw. Conversions: James Tedder (2). Penalty goal: James Tedder.