The Vodacom Bulls and Lions are the only two unbeaten teams left in the Currie Cup, while DHL Western Province notched their first win of the tournament in round three.
DHL Western Province registered their first win of the season in Welkom, but the Sharks XV and Griffons are still seeking their first win following more heartache.
In the first Premier Division match of the weekend, the Lions had to work hard for victory over this year’s SA Cup winners, Griquas, in Johannesburg.
The hosts swung momentum their way by scoring 10 points in the final quarter, when two players from the visiting side were sent to the sin bin for yellow card infringements.
Fly-half Sam Francis kicked one conversion and two penalty goals for the Highveld side, who were always in control of the game.
The Vodacom Bulls produced a solid performance to beat defending champions Cheetahs 25-13 later on Friday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, handing the Free Staters their first defeat of the season.
The men form Pretoria prevailed with three tries to one after leading 17-6 at the halftime break. Right wing Henry Immelman grabbed two tries while pivot Chris Smith added two conversions and a penalty goal.
The Sharks XV are still searching for their first win in the Premier Division, coming unstuck against a determined Pumas side, losing 31-21.
Inside centre Clinton Swart was perhaps the pick of the bunch for the Pumas as he added two conversions to his try, one of five scored by the visiting team.
In the last match of the round, played on Sunday afternoon in Welkom, Jonathan Roche scored a hat-trick of tries as a young DHL WP overpowered the Griffons 64-15 for their first win of the campaign.
Roche and wing Angelo Davids (two) were responsible for half of DHL WP’s tries, while fly-half Jurie Matthee slotted seven conversations.
On Friday, the Griffons take on the Cheetahs in a Free State derby in Welkom (15:00), and the Pumas host Griquas in Nelspruit (19:00), and that will be followed by two encounters on Saturday.
First, the Lions host Sharks XV in Johannesburg (15:00) and later, the Vodacom Bulls face DHL WP in a North vs South derby in Pretoria (17:15).
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