Lions seize Currie Cup lead as Cheetahs and Boland suffer first defeats

The Lions moved to the top of the Currie Cup Premier Division after the Cheetahs and Boland Kavaliers, the leading teams after two rounds, both lost for the first time this season.

The Lions, Griquas and Stormers XXIII all secured home victories in round three, while the Pumas were the only visiting team to claim a win.

Griquas held off a determined late challenge from the Cheetahs to win 24-21 in Kimberley on Friday evening. The defending champions scored four tries to the visitors’ three and kept their composure during a tense finish.

The Stormers XXIII responded to their heavy defeat by Boland Kavaliers the previous week with a 36-28 bonus-point victory against Sharks XV at Cape Town Stadium. Five tries earned the home side five valuable log points.

The Lions then produced the biggest winning margin of the weekend, beating Bulls XV 42-19 at the University of Johannesburg Stadium in the latest Jukskei Derby.

Round three concluded in Wellington on Sunday, when the Pumas ended Boland Kavaliers’ winning run with a hard-fought 20-15 success.

After three rounds, the Lions lead the standings with 12 points, one clear of Griquas. The Cheetahs also have 11 points, although Griquas sit above them because of their better points difference.

Boland Kavaliers have dropped to fourth on 10 points, with Stormers XXIII one point behind them. The Pumas have seven points, Sharks XV six, and Bulls XV only one.

The Kimberley derby between Griquas and their neighbours from Bloemfontein produced an entertaining contest. Simon Miller gave the Cheetahs an early lead, but Griquas took control before half-time as Tiaan Lange, Carl Els and Bobby Alexander scored to establish a 17-7 advantage.

Marko Janse van Rensburg and Prince Nkabinde helped the visitors fight back after the interval. Lange’s second try proved decisive, however, allowing Griquas to protect a three-point lead.

The Cheetahs were also reduced to 14 men at different stages, with Faf de Klerk and Juan Venter both receiving yellow cards.

Stormers XXIII recovered strongly in Cape Town after last weekend’s setback in Wellington. Sharks XV opened the scoring through Lyle Matthews, but Vernon Paulo and Wandile Mlaba replied for the hosts.

Ross Braude’s try brought the Sharks XV level before Markus Muller, a Junior Bok midfielder, restored the Stormers’ lead. Kyle Smith added a penalty before Rambo Kubheka, another Junior Bok, scored to reduce the deficit.

Josh Boulle and Xola Nyali then crossed in the second half to put the Stormers XXIII in command. Liam van Wyk, part of the recent successful SA U20 squad, scored a late consolation try for Sharks XV.

The Lions dominated from the beginning against Bulls XV, using their physical strength and accuracy to build a 28-0 half-time lead. Ruan Delport and Conraad van Vuuren scored early, before Morne Venter and Mahle Sithole added further tries.

The Lions scored again immediately after the restart and finished with six tries to three. Kebotile Maake, Devon Williams and Riyaad Bam replied for Bulls XV, but the visitors could not mount a serious comeback. Lions player Jarod Cairns was yellow-carded for a high tackle just before half-time.

In Wellington, the Pumas claimed their first victory of the campaign while ending Boland Kavaliers’ unbeaten home run, which had stretched back to last year. Nevaldo Fleurs contributed 15 points for the visitors.

Boland’s discipline and accuracy let them down. They conceded 12 penalties in the first half, while Kwanda Dimaza and James Tedder were both shown yellow cards, with Tedder punished for a high tackle.

Xavier Mitchell gave Boland the lead midway through the first half after finishing a well-executed cross-kick from Chris Smit. The Pumas responded when Thomas Bursey gathered a loose ball following a high kick and scored to put the visitors 10-5 ahead at the interval.

Fleurs, who had already kicked a penalty, added a converted try early in the second half. Dayan van der Westhuizen’s converted effort reduced the gap to 17-12, but Fleurs kicked his second penalty 10 minutes from time to restore an eight-point advantage.

Jayden Bantom’s late penalty ensured Boland secured a losing bonus point.

Results and scorers

Griquas 24 (17), Cheetahs 21 (7) Griquas tries: Tiaan Lange (2), Carl Els, Bobby Alexander. Conversions: George Whitehead (2). Cheetahs tries: Simon Miller, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Prince Nkabinde. Conversions: Cohen Jasper (3).

Stormers XXIII 36 (19), Sharks XV 28 (14) Stormers XXIII tries: Vernon Paulo, Wandile Mlaba, Markus Muller, Josh Boulle, Xola Nyali. Conversions: Kyle Smith (4). Penalty goal: Kyle Smith. Sharks XV tries: Lyle Matthews, Ross Braude, Rambo Kubheka, Liam van Wyk. Conversions: Tim Swiel (3), Luan Giliomee.

Lions 42 (28), Bulls XV 19 (0) Lions tries: Ruan Delport, Conraad van Vuuren, Morne Venter, Mahle Sithole, Dylan Sjoblom, Asad Moos. Conversions: Sam Francis (6). Bulls XV tries: Kebotile Maake, Devon Williams, Riyaad Bam. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (2).

Boland Kavaliers 15 (5), Pumas 20 (10) Boland Kavaliers tries: Xavier Mitchell, Dayan van der Westhuizen. Conversion: James Tedder. Penalty goal: Jayden Bantom. Pumas tries: Thomas Bursey, Nevaldo Fleurs. Conversions: Nevaldo Fleurs (2). Penalty goals: Nevaldo Fleurs (2).