Currie Cup: Round 4 Recap - Losing streaks continue for Sharks & Western Province

The Cheetahs have raced into poll position following Round 4 of the Currie Cup, yet the Free State side have not stretched their legs for any clear distance at the head of the pack. Boland Cavaliers sit in second, level on points with the Cheetahs (both 16), with both sides taking three wins and one loss from the first four matches. The Lions slip down to third, with one point now separating them from the top of the log.

At the bottom end of the table, Western Province have climbed a rung up to seventh. The Sharks XV now prop up the pile in eighth, with both WP and the Sharks still searching for their first wins of the season.

Suzuki Griquas 26 – 17 Hollywoodbets Sharks XV / Fidelity ADT Lions 36 – 35 Airlink Pumas

Toyota Cheetahs 31 – 24 DHL Western Province / Sanlam Boland Cavaliers 28 – 20 Vodacom Bulls

Suzuki Griquas continued their imperious home form, claiming a hard-fought 26-17 victory over a determined Hollywoodbets Sharks XV. The hosts struck first through Caleb Abrahams in the 14th minute, converted by George Whitehead, before the Sharks replied with a Ceano Everson try and Vusi Moyo conversion to lead 10-7 at halftime.

The second half was a tense affair. Lourens Oosthuizen crossed for Griquas in the 54th minute, though the conversion was missed. Sharks briefly regained momentum via Diego Appollis’ converted try, but yellow cards for Matt Romao and Jean Smith swung the balance. Griquas capitalized with Dylan Maart dotting down in the 61st minute, followed by Cameron Hufke’s converted score six minutes from fulltime.

George Whitehead’s boot was crucial, adding three conversions to complement Griquas’ four tries. Despite a yellow card to Oosthuizen, Griquas’ discipline at key moments and clinical finishing ensured their third home win in four outings, leaving the Sharks still searching for their first victory of the season.

Tries: 4 (Caleb Abrahams, Dylan Maart, Lourens Oosthuizen, Gurshwin Wehr)

Conversions: 3 (George Whitehead)

Tries: 2 (Ceano Everson, Diego Appollis)

Conversions: 2 (Vusi Moyo)

Penalty goal: 1 (Vusi Moyo)

In a high-octane clash at Nelspruit Rugby Club, the Fidelity ADT Lions edged the Airlink Pumas 36-35 in a match full of twists and turns. The Pumas set the pace early with Ruwald van der Merwe’s try, converted by Danrich Visagie, only for the Lions to respond with Kelly Mpeku and Angelo Davids crossing for converted tries.

Both sides traded blows relentlessly. Ross Braude and Darren Adonis extended the Pumas’ tally, matched by Renzo du Plessis for the Lions to see a 21-21 halftime deadlock. The second half was equally frenetic. Penalty goals and further tries from Dylan Sjoblom and Du Plessis gave the Lions a narrow edge. Late Pumas tries from Jan-Henning Campher and Tiaan Pretorius, with Visagie’s conversions, threatened to steal victory, but a decisive penalty from Lubabalo Dobela sealed the Lions’ narrow win.

The result left the Lions with 15 points and boosted confidence after their previous-round defeat, while the Pumas earned two bonus points for scoring four tries and losing by a single point, keeping them in contention near the top of the table.

Tries: 5 (Ruwald van der Merwe, Ross Braude, Darren Adonis, Jan-Henning Campher, Tiaan Pretorius)

Conversions: 5 (Danrich Visagie)

Tries: 5 (Kelly Mpeku, Angelo Davids, Renzo du Plessis (2), Dylan Sjoblom)

Conversions 4 (Lubabalo Dobela)

Penalty goal: 1 (Lubabalo Dobela)

The Toyota Cheetahs secured a hard-fought 31-24 bonus-point win over DHL Western Province despite finishing with 13 men. Cohen Jasper’s converted try and Mihlali Mosi’s score gave the hosts an early 12-3 lead, but WP responded with Jurie Matthee’s penalty and Shilton van Wyk’s converted try to trail by just two points at halftime.

The second half saw the Cheetahs assert dominance with quick tries from Banie Britz and Juan Venter, and No.8 Neels Volschenk finishing a stunning counterattack to extend their lead to 31-10. Western Province mounted a late fightback through converted tries from Jared Africa and Enos Ndiao, but discipline issues cost the Cheetahs with Marco Jansen van Vuren receiving a red card and Marko Janse van Rensburg a yellow. Nevertheless, Bloemfontein’s side held on, claiming all five points.

This win underlines the Cheetahs’ top-four credentials and keeps Western Province searching for their first victory, despite their spirited late rally.

Tries: 5 (Cohen Jasper, Mihlali Mosi, Banie Britz, Juan Venter, Neels Volschenk)

Conversions: 3 (Cohen Jasper)

Tries: 3 (Shilton van Wyk, Jared Africa, Enos Ndiao)

Conversions: 3 (Jurie Matthee, Tristan Leyds 2)

Penalty goal: 1 (Jurie Matthee)

Boland Cavaliers edged out a thrilling 28-20 triumph over the Vodacom Bulls in Wellington, with remarkable composure to weather through amid a fiery encounter. Trailing 12-7 at halftime and later 20-14 in the second half, the Cavaliers clawed their way back despite four yellow cards for Doctor Booysen, Louis Schreuder, Michael Benadie, and Godlen Masimla.

Boland's forwards and backs combined seamlessly. Sidney Tobias, Donavan Don, Khwezi Mafu, and Dayan van der Westhuizen each dotted down, while Ashlon Davids added four conversions to keep Boland ahead. The Bulls responded through Jean Erasmus, Jaco Grobbelaar, and Nama Xaba, with Boeta Chamberlain converting one try and slotting a penalty goal, but it wasn’t enough.

The match was as physical as it was tactical, with six yellow cards in total filling up the sin bins. Yet Boland’s ability to absorb pressure and execute under duress earned them their third win, consolidating their position in the top two and reinforcing their credentials as genuine contenders for the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.

Tries: 4 (Sidney Tobias, Donavan Don, Khwezi Mafu, Dayan van der Westhuizen)

Conversions: 4 (Ashlon Davids)

Tries: 3 (Jean Erasmus, Jaco Grobbelaar, Nama Xaba)

Conversions: 1 (Boeta Chamberlain)

Penalty goal: 1 (Boeta Chamberlain)