Early rounds of Currie Cup sees Bulls, Cheetahs and Lions in front as other teams chase
Cheslin Arendse of the Griffons challenged by Chris Barend Smit of the Bulls during the 2024 Currie Cup match between Griffons and Bulls at the Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom on Sunday. The Bulls beat the Griffons 52-10. Picture: Muzi Ntombela, BackpagePix
The Cheetahs, Bulls, and Lions continued their early dominance in the Currie Cup with commanding wins over the weekend that followed their opening-round victories.
It sets up a tasty clash between defending champions the Cheetahs and the Bulls on Friday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
On Sunday, the Bulls showed glimpses of their typical flashy rugby but interspersed with some ordinary play as they trumped the Griffons 52-10 in Welkom.
They completed the bonus-point win thanks to eight tries, but the score could have been bigger if they used the chances they created and conceded fewer penalties.
The Griffons, who beat the Bulls last year, showed plenty of heart during the clash with some fine plays in patches, but after this performance, it’s difficult to see them winning any matches against the big sides in the competition.
In Bloemfontein on Saturday, the Free Staters scored a second convincing win after despatching a plucky Western Province 37-17.
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Their forwards and backs clicked in the second half to blow the Capetonians off the field with their powerful interplay. Cheetahs loose forward Jeandre Rudolph, replacement hooker Vernon Paulo and flyhalf Ethan Wentzel were at the helm of the victory as they scored five tries.
It was WP’s second defeat in as many games and they remain second-last in the points table. They take on the Griffons on Sunday and will be eager to register a first win.
Earlier on Friday, the Lions and Griquas found themselves on the winning side in their respective clashes.
It was a runaway victory for the Ellis Park team who comprehensively outplayed last year’s finalists the Pumas, completing a 75-21 win at the Mbombela Stadium. They ran the hosts ragged, scoring 10 tries on their way to the resounding victory in the domestic catfight.
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Griquas needed a late penalty on Friday afternoon to beat a Bok-laden Sharks in Kimberley for their first win of the competition.
They played some brilliant running rugby in the second half to complete an amazing comeback 34-31 win after the visitors took the lead in the first half.
The Sharks remain winless and will face a hurting Pumas on Friday in Nelspruit.
Griquas know they will have to lift their game if they want to topple the high-flying Lions in the first round-three match on Friday in Johannesburg.