Currie Cup

Hawies Fourie has made two changes to the Free State Cheetahs starting XV for Saturday's Currie Cup clash against Griquas in Kimberley.

“It makes a big difference for us to have the quality of those two for us. Fourie added: “[Griquas] are under pressure to qualify for the third or fourth place so they will be determined. “Cam passed a fitness test [on Thursday] so we’re confident he’ll be ready.”

David Kriel of the Blue Bulls scores a try during the Carling Currie Cup match against the Pumas at Loftus Versfeld on May 27. Image: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images.

The tries kept coming as David Kriel scored seven minutes before the break and the Pumas were reduced to 14 men as Tinus de Beer was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Richard Kriel in a build-up to the try. The Bulls were finally able to get on the scoreboard after 17 minutes of play when they were awarded a penalty try and Pumas' hero De Klerk was sin-binned. The men from Mbombela, who needed a victory to boost their playoff chances, scored first through De Klerk in five minutes and he completed his brace eight minutes later as the Pumas took control of the game.

Pumas wing Sebastian de Klerk put in a sparkling man-of-the-match performance to score a hattrick of tries that almost helped them upset the hosts.

De Klerk was then in for his second in the 14th minute as he rounded off a brilliant counter attack from the Pumas that started from behind their own tryline, with a superb grubber from fullback Devon Williams allowing the flying wing to go over in the corner, with inside centre Eddie Fouche adding the extras. The match started with the Pumas getting off to the perfect start as some good play took them into the Bulls 22m, where the ball was spread wide quickly to de Klerk in space allowing him to dive over in the corner for an unconverted score. Pumas wing Sebastian de Klerk put in a sparkling man-of-the-match performance to score a hattrick of tries that almost helped them upset the hosts, but he was also one of two yellow cards along with a red that saw them play the majority of the match a man down, allowing the Bulls to take the win.

The Vodacom Bulls made heavy weather of it but scored 19 unanswered points in the second half to come from behind and beat a 14-man Airlink Pumas side 31-26 ...

David Kriel of the Blue Bulls scores a try during the Carling Currie Cup match against the Pumas at Loftus Versfeld on May 27. Image: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images.

The tries kept coming as David Kriel scored seven minutes before the break and the Pumas were reduced to 14 men as Tinus de Beer was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Richard Kriel in a build-up to the try. The Bulls were finally able to get on the scoreboard after 17 minutes of play when they were awarded a penalty try and Pumas' hero De Klerk was sin-binned. The men from Mbombela, who needed a victory to boost their playoff chances, scored first through De Klerk in five minutes and he completed his brace eight minutes later as the Pumas took control of the game.

The Bulls picked up a bonus point from their Currie Cup thriller against the Pumas at Loftu Versfeld in Tshwane on Friday evening.

At 13 against 15 with ten minutes to go, they had little chance but they refused to give in. There was an endless avalanche of penalties against them and it is difficult to believe that they really are such an ill-disciplined rabble... The Bulls were stung in to action and laid siege to the Pumas’ line only to turn the ball over and the Pumas launched a spectacular counter-attack from behind their line and 95m later De Klerk scored in the corner and this time Fouche converted for a 12-0 lead.

The Pumas saw red and the Vodacom Bulls responded with 19 unanswered points in the second half to complete a thrilling comeback in a Currie Cup match at ...

Kriel finished off some great interplay with his brother Richard, and the Pumas were down to 14 men after De Beer was shown red. But it wasn’t long before the visitors extended their lead again as scrumhalf Chriswill September crossed over and Eddie Fouche converted. And then, shortly after De Klerk’s return, Pumas flyhalf Tinus de Beer was red-carded for a dangerous tackle on Bulls wing Richard Kriel. Winger Tapira Mafuwa was the third Pumas player to be sent off, this time a yellow for a mid-air collision with Kriel as both players were contesting a high kick.

Bulls players celebrate a try by James Verity-Amm during the Carling Currie Cup match against the Pumas at Loftus Versfeld on May 27. Image: Anton Geyser/Gallo ...

It was difficult in the beginning. “You have to close them down in all phases. “The URC will take the 28 players and whoever is left has to compete against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein,” Smal said.

Griquas host the Cheetahs in a central derby in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon with play kicking off at 14:30.

The Windhoek Draught Griquas did both themselves and the Vodacom Bulls a huge favour with an unexpectedly comprehensive 46-18 upset win over the Toyota ...

Bulls Currie Cup coach Gert Smal says his side could be understrength for the top-of-the-table bout with the Cheetahs next month.

It was difficult in the beginning. “You have to close them down in all phases. “The URC will take the 28 players and whoever is left has to compete against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein,” Smal said.

Griquas moved up to third in the Currie Cup standings after a convincing 46-18 bonus-point victory over the Cheetahs in Kimberley on Saturday.

Western Province - (3) 10 Penalties: Swanepoel (3) The Lions then put the game to bed when Swanepoel scored a try and converted in the 71st minute as the hosts celebrated breaking their winless run.

Tiaan Swanepoel will partner Sanele Nohamba for the Lions as the Johannesburg franchise entertain WP this weekend in a Currie Cup clash.

Last Saturday’s win, albeit in a different competition, instilled a huge amount of confidence within the group. "Finishing strong as franchise has been our theme over the past two weeks. In the front row, hooker Morne Brandon gets a starting opportunity.

It was a massive defensive effort, coupled with a man-of-the-match performance from flyhalf Tiaan Swanepoel who scored 18 of the Lions points that saw them ...

Griquas served up a sensational shock in Kimberley as they snapped the Cheetahs' unbeaten streak in this year's Currie Cup.

Adding injury to insult, Steyn then limped off as captain Ruan Pienaar put the visitors on the board off the tee. It was a frustrating afternoon for the Free Staters, who never got going and lost key man Frans Steyn to injury in the 23rd minute. READ

The Lions defeated Western Province to record a bonus-point victory and register their first Currie Cup win of this year's campaign.

Instead, they suffered their eighth loss in 10 games to slip nine points behind the fifth-placed Pumas (22 points) on the league table. Morne Brandon (hooker), Stean Pienaar (right wing) and Quan Horn (fullback) all crossed the whitewash while Swanepoel succeeded with one conversion and a penalty goal. READ

The Lions United Rugby Championship campaign came to a close over the past weekend with a win against the Dragons in Wales.

“So you don’t want to give them opportunities in terms of our kicking game and making mistakes. “Looking at the Dragons game we just want to build on that momentum. “If you look at their team they have experienced players.