Currie Cup: Round 3 Review - Unbeaten runs end as Bulls & Lions defeated in South Africa

The Pumas now top the log on points difference, with the Cheetahs and Boland right behind them on 11 points apiece. The Bulls, Lions and Griquas form a competitive chasing pack, while the Sharks XV picked up their first point. DHL Western Province remain winless after three games down in South Africa.

Griquas underlined their attacking class in Kimberley with a ruthless seven-try performance that keeps them firmly in the hunt in the season's early goings. From the outset, they dominated territory and possession, striking through Albert Liebenberg in the eighth minute and Zane Bester ten minutes later. Western Province briefly hit back via Aden De Costa, but Caleb Abrahams’ try restored the home side’s cushion of comfort before the break.

After halftime, the pace quickened. Gurshwin Wehr extended the Griquas lead, and while WP’s Scarra Ntubeni and Ezekiel Ngobeni grabbed unconverted tries for Western Province, the Griquas’ composure never wavered. Derik Pretorius’ score on the 67th minute started a late flurry, with Carl Els and Thomas Bursey then crossing the whitewash to cap a convincing display. George Whitehead landed six solid conversions in an impressive showing from the tee.

This win moves Griquas level with the Bulls and Lions on 10 points, while Western Province’s defensive frailties leave them bottom of the table, with zero points from three games.

SUZUKI GRIQUAS: 47 (21)
TRIES: 7 (Liebenberg 8′, Bester 18′, Abrahams 35′, Wehr 43′, Pretorius 67′, Els 76′, Bursey 79′)
CONVERSIONS: 6 (Whitehead 8′, 18′, 35′, 43′, 67′, 76′)

DHL WESTERN PROVINCE: 17 (7)
TRIES: 3 (De Costa 28′, Ntubeni 55′, Ngobeni 61′)
CONVERSIONS: 1 (Matthee 28′)

Airlink Pumas turned Loftus Versfeld into their playground with a stunning second-half display that left the Bulls shell-shocked. In a cagey opening half, a Danrich Visagie penalty put the Pumas ahead before Riyaad Bam’s converted try swung momentum to the hosts. Just before the interval, Eddie Swart dotted down to restore the visitors’ lead at 10-7.

The second half was one-way traffic. Captain Willie Engelbrecht crashed over minutes after the restart, and Tiaan de Klerk followed suit in the 52nd minute. With the Bulls struggling to handle the tempo, Ross Braude’s try put the game beyond reach. Hanno Theunissen and Andre Fouché added the gloss late on, with Visagie perfect from the tee throughout.

The Bulls’ cause wasn’t helped by missed opportunities and a disallowed try in the build-up to the Pumas’ surge. For Jimmy Stonehouse’s side, it was a statement of intent with disciplined defence, clinical finishing, and total dominance after halftime. The Pumas remain top thanks to their superior points difference, while the Bulls drop from first to fourth after this humbling loss.

VODACOM BULLS: 7 (7)
TRIES: 1 (Bam 23′)
CONVERSIONS: 1 (Chamberlain 23′)

AIRLINK PUMAS: 41 (10)
TRIES: 6 (Swart 37′, Engelbrecht 46′, De Klerk 52′, Braude 63′, Theunissen 72′, Fouché 78′)
CONVERSIONS: 4 (Visagie 46′, 52′, 63′, 72′)
PENALTIES: 1 (Visagie 12′)

Durban served up a defensive arm-wrestle as the Toyota Cheetahs squeezed past the Sharks XV by the narrowest of margins. The breakthrough came midway through the first half, with the hosts down a man after Corne Rahl’s yellow card. Exploiting the gap, Neels Volschenk powered over, and Ntokozo Makhaza added the extras for a 7-0 lead at the break.

The Sharks upped the tempo in the second half, dominating territory but struggling to convert pressure into points against a stubborn Cheetahs defence. Their persistence finally paid off when Phatu Ganyane dived over in the corner on 65 minutes, but Jean Smith’s conversion attempt from the touchline drifted agonisingly wide.

The final quarter saw both sides battle for inches in a ferocious contest at the breakdown. The Cheetahs, however, showed impressive resilience, repelling wave after wave of Sharks attack to seal their second win of the season. The result leaves the Cheetahs level on points with the Pumas and Boland, while the Sharks’ solitary losing bonus point is their first of the campaign.

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS XV: 5 (0)
TRIES: 1 (Ganyane 65′)

TOYOTA CHEETAHS: 7 (7)
TRIES: 1 (Volschenk 24′)
CONVERSIONS: 1 (Makhaza 24′)

Wellington was rocking as Boland Kavaliers handed the Lions their first loss of the season, producing a clinical performance to claim a bonus-point win. The hosts struck first despite Lunathi Nxele’s early yellow card, with Donavan Don showcasing his pace for two tries in the opening half. Kade Wolhuter hit back for the Lions, but Xavier Mitchell’s effort and a James Tedder penalty ensured Boland led 15-5 at the interval.

The second half saw the Kavaliers’ defence take centre stage. Tedder kept the scoreboard ticking with his accurate boot, while Gianni Lombard’s try for the visitors hinted at a comeback. Boland, however, stayed composed and sealed victory in dramatic fashion when Juan Mostert crossed in the 84th minute for the bonus-point try.

Three yellow cards added extra spice to a physical encounter, but Boland’s ability to take their chances, and shut down the Lions’ dangerous runners proved decisive. The result leaves the Kavaliers tied for second and firmly in the hunt, while halting the Lions’ early-season momentum.

SANLAM BOLAND KAVALIERS: 29 (15)
TRIES: 4 (Don 5′, 26′, Mitchell 34′, Mostert 84′)
CONVERSIONS: 3 (Tedder 26′, 34′, 84′)
PENALTIES: 1 (Tedder 40′)

FIDELITY ADT LIONS: 10 (5)
TRIES: 2 (Wolhuter 16′, Lombard 65′)