By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Suzuki Griquas jumped to the top of the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division standings following a powerful win over the Fidelity ADT Lions in Kimberley; the Airlink Pumas edged the Vodacom Bulls XV for an important away win in Pretoria; the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV overcame Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in KwaMashu; and the Toyota Cheetahs grabbed an important away win over the DHL Stormers in an exciting fourth round of the competition.
The weekend’s action got underway on Saturday when Griquas delivered a strong performance to defeat the Lions in Kimberley by 31-19. That was followed by the Pumas’ nail-biting 33-31 win over the Bulls at Loftus in Pretoria; and in the third match of the day, staged at KwaMashu, the Sharks XV beat a gritty Kavaliers side by 19-12.
On Sunday, the Cheetahs recorded a crucial win at Athlone Stadium over the DHL Stormers XXIII, that lifted the Free Staters to 16 points, the same as leaders Griquas, who have a better points differential.
The leading duo are followed by the Lions and Pumas, both of whom are on 12 points. Boland are now fifth on the log with 11 points, the same total as the Stormers XXIII. The Sharks XV increased their tally to 10 points, while the Bulls XV are still winless on three points.
In next week’s round five action, the Fidelity ADT Lions and Sanlam Boland Kavaliers clash on Friday at 15h00 at Wits Rugby Stadium in Johannesburg, while the Suzuki Griquas host the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV from 17h05 in Kimberley.
Saturday’s only fixture sees the Airlink Pumas welcome the DHL Stormers XXIII to the Mbombela Stadium for their 17h00 meeting, and the round concludes next Sunday when the Vodacom Bulls XV host the Toyota Cheetahs from 15h00 in Pretoria.
Scorers:
Suzuki Griquas 31 (13), Fidelity ADT Lions 19 (7)
Griquas – Tries: Gershwin Wehr, Dylan Maart, Janus Venter, Bobby Alexander. Conversion: George Whitehead. Penalty goals: Whitehead (2). Drop goal: Whitehead.
Lions – Tries: Thando Biyela, Jarod Cairns, Exauce Tshiamala. Conversions: Sam Francis (2).
Vodacom Bulls XV 31 (14), Airlink Pumas 33 (19)
Bulls – Tries: Penalty Try, Jonathan Eloff, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Sandi Msengana, Hakeem Kunene. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (2).
Pumas – Tries: Alfondso Isaacs, Willie Engelbrecht, JJ Scheepers, Jan-Henning Campher (2). Conversions: Nevaldo Fleurs (4).
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV 19 (14), Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 12 (5)
Sharks XV – Tries: Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (2), Johannes Slabbert. Conversions: Tim Swiel (2).
Boland – Tries: Jayden Bantom, Dewald Maritz. Conversion: Ashlon Davids.
DHL Stormers XXIII 26 (14), Toyota Cheetahs 31 (5)
Stormers XXIII – Tries: Stefan Ungerer, Vernon Paulo, Wandile Mlaba (2). Conversions: Jean-Luc du Plessis (3).
Cheetahs – Tries: Prince Nkabinde, Neels Volschenk, Michael Annies, Penalty Try, Faf de Klerk. Conversions: Zander du Plessis (2).