Lions stay in play-off hunt

Currie Cup round-up

The Lions claimed a 33-26 win over the Cheetahs to stay in the play-off race.

They led 20-7 at half-time with tries from Rynardt Jonker and Edwill van der Merwe. JC Pretorius added a third with Sanele Nohamba kicking 18 points. Tries from George Cronje (2), Sibabalo Qoma, Marnus van der Merwe earned a point for the Cheetahs.

Western Province held off a fierce fightback to secure a 25-21 bonus point win over the Griffons. They led 25-0 with tries from Jarrod Taylor, Andre Hugo Venter, Jean-Luc du Plessis and Thomas Bursey but after Kwenzo Blose was sent to the bin, Griffons hit back through Domenic Smith, CJ Coetzee and HP van Schoor to set up a nervy finish.

The Bulls beat the Griquas 40-20. They coasted to a 19-3 lead at half-time with tries from Embrose Papier, Johan Grobbelaar, and Elrigh Louw. Grobbelaar, Marco Jansen van Vuren, and Simphiwe Matanzima also scored.

Johan Mulder, Jay-Cee Nel and Stephan Smit all scored for the Griquas.

A bonus point try after the hooter by Dian Bleuler saw the Sharks come out on top 24-22 against 14-man Pumas, who lost prop Njabulo Gumede in the 28th minute following a dangerous tackle.