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EP Elephants 41-30

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The EP Elephants kicked off their 2025 SA Cup campaign with a hard-fought 41-30 loss to Valke in Kempton Park on Saturday.

Despite commanding a 22-14 lead at halftime, the Elephants couldn’t hold off a determined Valke side in the second half.

The Elephants showcased their attacking flair, crossing the line for four tries. Wing Rodney Damons led the charge with a brace, while centre Troy Delport and fullback Jayden Bantom each added one. Flyhalf Chris Humphries contributed the remaining points with his reliable boot.

Coach Allister Coetzee praised his team’s first-half dominance. “It was a disappointing result overall but we played some fantastic rugby after conceding two tries early on and showed what we’re capable of,” he said. “Scoring four tries at altitude away from home is no small feat, it earns us a bonus point and gives us something to build on.”

The turning point came during the second-half when as many as three yellow cards reduced the Elephants to 13 men at times. The Valke capitalized on their numerical advantage, scoring two converted tries during this period to swing the momentum and ultimately secure the 41-30 victory.

“We were inaccurate at the breakdown, losing discipline at critical moments and it cost us,” Coetzee admitted. “ One cannot afford to get carded against top teams and the boys need to learn from this. ”

The Elephants now turn their attention to their next SA Cup fixture, a home clash against the Pumas on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

With a week to regroup, Coetzee is determined that his squad bounce back. “It’s not getting any easier, the Pumas are a top side and although they will be tough, I expect a better performance from us after the learnings from the Valke,” he said.

Match Details:
* Result: Valke 41, EP Elephants 30
* Try Scorers: Rodney Damons (2), Troy Delport (1), Jayden Bantom (1)
* Points from Chris Humphries: 10

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Port Elizabethan

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