Griquas and the Pumas both claimed convincing wins against overseas opposition at the Free State Stadium on Wednesday.
Griquas, who beat Romania A in the opening round of the Toyota Challenge, made it two from two with a dominant 56-21 victory against Georgia’s Black Lion.
The Currie Cup champions raced into a 28-0 half-time lead and never looked back, scoring eight tries.
Lock Lungi Mbiko crossed inside the opening minute after a powerful break from No 8 Dillon Smith.
One of the highlights of the match came when Griquas caught the visitors off guard with an inventive midfield lineout move that ended with Smith scoring their third try.
Black Lion, who rested several first-choice players, struggled to gain a foothold in the contest and were punished for a host of errors, particularly at scrum time.
Captain Phumzile Makondwana extended Griquas’ advantage shortly after the break before the Georgians finally got on the scoreboard through No 8 Giorgi Sinauridze.
Griquas were reduced to 14 men when flyhalf Liam Koen received a red card for head contact in a tackle, but they continued to dominate and added two more tries while a man down.
ALSO: Cheetahs romp past Romania A
The Pumas bounced back from their opening-round loss to Black Lion by thrashing Portuguese outfit Lusitanos 57-24.
Wing Tino Swanepoel scored three of the Lowvelders’ nine tries, while veteran hooker Simon Westraadt and No 8 Marvelous Mashimbyi each grabbed a brace.
Despite making 15 changes to their side, the Pumas raced into a 26-3 half-time lead.
Lusitanos scored three late tries to add some respectability to the scoreline.
GRIQUAS (56) – Tries: Lungi Mbiko, Jack Hart, Dillon Smith, Tom Nel, Phumzile Makondwana, Keagan Blanckenberg, Cephas van Biljon, Caleb Abrahams. Conversions: Liam Koen (6), Simon Liversage (2).
BLACK LION (21) – Tries: Giorgi Sinauridze, Guga Ganiashvili, Shalva
Aptsiauri. Conversions: Merlynn Pieterse, Luka Tsirekidze (2).
PUMAS (57) – Tries: Marvelous Mashimbyi (2), Tino Swanepoel (3), Simon Westraadt (2), Junior Banda, Troy Delport. Conversions: Danrich Visagie (6).
LUSITANOS (24) – Tries: Hugo Aubry, Rodrigo Marques, Vasco Baptista. Conversions: Aubry (3). Penalty: Aubry.
Toyota Challenge fixtures and results
Round 1
Pumas 36 Black Lion 46
Griquas 35 Romania A 20
Cheetahs 54 Lusitanos 24
Round 2
Griquas 56 Black Lion 21
Pumas 57 Lusitanos 24
Cheetahs 47 Romania A 14
Round 3 (Sunday, 14 June)
12pm: Griquas vs Lusitanos
2pm: Pumas vs Romania A
4:30pm: Cheetahs vs Black Lion
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
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