The Pumas have become favourites to win this year’s Currie Cup title after demolishing a second-string Cheetahs team in Bloemfontein on Friday.
The defending champions, who beat Griquas in last year’s final in Kimberley for their first title, proved way too strong for their hosts, who were without all their first choice players who are on Challenge Cup duty in France.
Hawies Fourie’s “first team” take on Toulon in the Challenge Cup last-16 on Saturday.
Pumas beat Cheetahs
The Pumas are now the only unbeaten side in the Currie Cup, going four from four, while the Cheetahs are now three from four after their 61-21 win.
Jimmy Stonehouse’s men got off to a flying start and led 26-7 at the break. In all, the men from Mpumalanga ran in nine tries to the Cheetahs’ three, with Devon Williams getting three for the defending champions.
While outplayed for most of the match, the home team showed some fight in the second period, scoring two converted tries when Pumas prop Corne Fourie was in the sin-bin.
Griffons shock Bulls
Meanwhile, in Welkom, the Griffons pulled off a surprise win against the Bulls, who have now gone four matches in the competition without a win.
The men from the Northern Free State won 32-28 for their first victory of the campaign.
In all, the Bulls franchise has now lost nine matches in a row — four in the Currie Cup and five in the United Rugby Championship.
There was a nervous wait for the Griffons players and their fans towards the end of their match on Friday afternoon when the officials ordered the players off the field because of lightning with three minutes remaining.
The players returned some time later and the home team were soon able to celebrate a famous win.
Both teams scored four tries in a thrilling game, in which the hosts led 12-7 at the break.
Saturday’s action
In Saturday’s games, the Lions host the Sharks (3.30pm), while Western Province entertain Griquas (7.15pm).
The Lions go into the game on the back of a win against the Griffons, after losing their first two matches in this year’s competition, to Western Province and the Pumas, while the Sharks have won two out of three.
Western Province are also two out of three and will be favourites at home against Griquas, but the men from Kimberley, who played in the final last year, should never be written off. Griquas’ only win so far has come against the Sharks.