Springboks hopeful leads Cheetahs comeback in epic 17-try blockbuster
Rugby NewsMonday, 17 August 2026 at 12:54
The race for the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division semi-finals is becoming increasingly difficult to call, with just two rounds remaining after another dramatic weekend of domestic rugby.
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Defending champions Suzuki Griquas strengthened their position at the summit with a statement victory over the Sharks XV, while the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers produced one of the comebacks of the campaign to stun the Lions in Johannesburg.
The Airlink Pumas also kept their playoff hopes firmly alive with a convincing victory over the Stormers XXIII, before the Toyota Cheetahs survived an extraordinary 114-point thriller against the Bulls XV at Loftus Versfeld. Prince Nkabinde was among the standout performers, scoring twice in a sensational first-half display that underlined his growing reputation as a potential future Springbok.
Griquas and the Cheetahs now sit level on 21 points, with the defending champions leading on points difference. The Pumas are third on 17 points, while Boland occupy the final playoff place on 16. With the Lions, Stormers XXIII and Sharks XV still within striking distance, the final two rounds promise to deliver plenty more twists.
RECAP: CURRIE CUP ROUND 5
Lions 29-38 Boland Kavaliers
Boland produced a remarkable second-half turnaround to recover from 17-0 down and claim a crucial 38-29 victory over the Lions at Wits Rugby Stadium. The hosts looked in complete control during the opening quarter, with Sam Francis kicking an early penalty before Keagan Smith and Jarod Cairns crossed to establish a commanding advantage.
Boland gradually found their way back into the contest, however, with Mthokozisi Gumede and Gift Dlamini both scoring before half-time to leave the Lions leading 17-14 at the interval. The Kavaliers then took control after the restart.
Sibusiso Sangweni and Jeandré Leonard crossed to put the visitors ahead before the Lions responded through Smith and Rynhardt Jonker to keep themselves within touching distance. Gumede completed his brace to restore Boland's advantage before James Tedder added a late penalty to secure a vital bonus-point victory.
The result moves Boland onto 16 points and strengthens their claim for a semi-final place, while the Lions remain fifth on 13 points. It was also a significant response from the Kavaliers after last weekend's defeat by the Sharks XV.
SCORERS:
Lions: Tries: Keagan Smith (2), Jarod Cairns, Rynhardt Jonker. Conversions: Sam Francis (3). Penalty: Francis.
Boland Kavaliers: Tries: Mthokozisi Gumede (2), Gift Dlamini, Sibusiso Sangweni, Jeandré Leonard. Conversions: James Tedder (5). Penalty: Tedder.
Griquas 55-21 Sharks XV
Suzuki Griquas underlined their status as defending champions with the most emphatic victory of the round, dismantling the Sharks XV 55-21 in Kimberley.
The Sharks initially threatened to make it a contest, with three converted tries keeping them within five points at half-time as Griquas led 26-21. But the second half belonged entirely to the hosts. Griquas produced an eight-tries-to-three victory, with Dylan Maart and Tiaan Lange both completing hat-tricks in a devastating attacking display.
Janus Venter and Bobby Alexander also crossed, while a penalty try added to the Sharks' problems. The Durban side were unable to add to their tally after the interval, allowing Griquas to pull clear and claim another bonus-point victory on home soil.
Tim Swiel scored one of the Sharks' three tries and contributed three conversions for a personal haul of 11 points, but it was ultimately a comfortable victory for the champions. Griquas now sit top of the table on 21 points, level with the Cheetahs but ahead on points difference, and are looking increasingly like the team to beat with two rounds remaining.
SCORERS:
Griquas: Tries: Janus Venter, penalty try, Dylan Maart (3), Bobby Alexander, Tiaan Lange (3). Conversions: George Whitehead (2), Liam Koen (2).
Sharks XV: Tries: Tino Mavesere, Tim Swiel, Johan Momsen. Conversions: Tim Swiel (3).
Pumas 29-7 Stormers XXIII
The Airlink Pumas continued their impressive revival with a controlled 29-7 victory over the Stormers XXIII at Mbombela Stadium. Having edged the Bulls XV by just two points last weekend, the Pumas produced a far more convincing display to move firmly into the playoff picture.
A 15-0 half-time lead gave the hosts the platform they needed, with Thomas Bursey and Banie Britz crossing before Jan-Henning Campher and JJ Scheepers added further tries after the break. Nevaldo Fleurs was also influential from the tee, converting three tries and adding a penalty for a nine-point haul.
The Stormers XXIII struggled to generate any sustained attacking pressure and could only respond with a late converted try from Mfundo Ndhlovu. The bonus-point victory moved the Pumas onto 17 points and into third place, leaving them firmly in contention for a semi-final berth.
For the Stormers, it was a disappointing response after their victory over the Sharks XV, and they remain sixth on 11 points.
SCORERS:
Pumas: Tries: Thomas Bursey, Banie Britz, Jan-Henning Campher, JJ Scheepers. Conversions: Nevaldo Fleurs (3). Penalty: Fleurs.
Stormers XXIII: Try: Mfundo Ndhlovu. Conversion: Kyle Smith.
Bulls XV 52-62 Cheetahs
The Cheetahs survived one of the wildest games of the Currie Cup season to beat the Bulls XV 62-52 in a remarkable 17-try thriller at Loftus Versfeld. The visitors looked set for a comfortable victory after producing a sensational first-half performance, racing into a 47-17 lead.
Michael Annies and future Springboks sensation Prince Nkabinde both scored twice in the opening 40 minutes, while Zander du Plessis and Neels Volschenk also crossed. Cohen Jasper added another try as the Cheetahs tore through the Bulls defence.
Jasper and Victor Sekekete then crossed after the interval as the visitors extended their advantage to 59-17. But the Bulls refused to surrender. Riyaad Bam, Siphosethu Mnebelele and Kebotile Maake had already scored before the break, while Marnus Rademeyer, Brooklyn Newman, Nizaam Carr and Devon Williams all crossed during a remarkable second-half fightback.
The hosts got within touching distance of an extraordinary comeback, but Tiaan Swanepoel's long-range penalty after the hooter ensured they could not claim a losing bonus point.
The Cheetahs finished with 13 players on the field but held on for a crucial victory that keeps them level with Griquas on 21 points. Nkabinde's two-try display was another reminder of why the talented wing is being tipped for higher honours in green and gold, while the Cheetahs head into the final two rounds firmly in the hunt for top spot.
SCORERS:
Bulls XV: Tries: Riyaad Bam, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Kebotile Maake, Marnus Rademeyer (2), Brooklyn Newman, Nizaam Carr, Devon Williams. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (6).
Cheetahs: Tries: Michael Annies (2), Zander du Plessis, Prince Nkabinde (2), Neels Volschenk, Cohen Jasper (2), Victor Sekekete. Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (7). Penalty: Tiaan Swanepoel.
Currie Cup table after Round Five
- Suzuki Griquas – 21 points
- Toyota Cheetahs – 21 points
- Airlink Pumas – 17 points
- Sanlam Boland Kavaliers – 16 points
- Fidelity ADT Lions – 13 points
- DHL Stormers XXIII – 11 points
- Hollywoodbets Sharks XV – 10 points
- Vodacom Bulls XV – 4 points
With only two rounds remaining, the playoff picture is tightening rapidly.
Round six sees the Pumas host Griquas at Mbombela Stadium, the Bulls XV face the Stormers XXIII at Loftus Versfeld, and the Sharks XV welcome the Lions to Woodburn Stadium. The Cheetahs and Boland Kavaliers then meet in Bloemfontein on Sunday in another crucial clash.
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