The Vodacom Bulls retained their spot at the top of the Currie Cup, while the Lions strengthened their second position on the log as the Sharks XV’s resurgence continued.

The seventh round of the Currie Cup kicked off with the Vodacom Bulls beating the Airlink Pumas 40-24 in Nelspruit on Friday afternoon.

The Vodacom Bulls produced a dominant start and scored four tries in the opening 30 minutes against the Airlink Pumas in Nelspruit, where the visitors built a solid 26-5 half-time lead.

On Saturday, the Lions turned on the style in defeating defeat DHL Western Province 41-22 in their early afternoon meeting in Johannesburg.

The hosts earned their try-scoring bonus-point in the first half already and lead 28-8 at the break, with the impressive Renzo du Plessis leading the charge with a hat-trick of tries. DHL WP showed some flashes of promise and Junior Springbok JC Mars, playing on the wing, completed his brace after the break.

JP Pietersen’s Sharks XV triumphed by 25-20 over the defending champions, the Cheetahs, in Bloemfontein.

Experienced speedster Yaw Penxe was instrumental in the victory as he scored two tries to hand his side a 18-10 half-time lead.

The Toyota Cheetahs came back hard, with tries through Corne Fourie, Vernon Paulo and Ethan Wentzel, but Eduan Keyter’s five-pointer four minutes from full-time secured the visitors a crucial win in Bloemfontein.

In the final match of the round played on Sunday in Welkom, the Griquas claimed their third win of the campaign by beating the Griffons 57-7 in bright Northern Free State sunshine.

Sako Makata, Marco de Witt, and the speedy Connor Mahoney each scored a brace of tries for the Griquas.

Following the latest round’s fixtures, the Bulls increased their points tally to 31 from six wins and a draw, three more than second-placed Lions. The Cheetahs are now third on 24 points, only three more than the fourth-placed Sharks XV, who leapfrogged the Pumas (fifth on 19 points).

WP are sixth on 14 points, followed by Griquas (13) and Griffons (2).

This coming Friday, the Bulls host Griquas in Pretoria (7.05pm); and on Saturday, WP welcome the Sharks XV to the DHL Stadium (3pm) before the Cheetahs host the Lions in Bloemfontein (5pm). On Sunday, the Griffons take on the Pumas in Welkom (3pm).

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images

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