Rosko Specman of the Griquas in action against the Lions in the Currie Cup on Sunday. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
After suffering a surprise defeat the week before against the Sharks in Durban, the Pumas rebounded in style by thrashing the Currie Cup newcomers, the Griffons, 64-6 in Welkom on Sunday.
Jimmy Stonehouse’s men ran in 10 tries with replacement hooker PJ Jacobs scoring a hat trick and the visitors scoring 45 unanswered second half points.
If there were any concerns about the Pumas losing their way after last week’s defeat they were dispelled in Welkom. The Pumas were clinical and showed they are the team to beat this year and right now look favourites to go back-to-back in the Currie Cup.
The five-point haul ensured the Pumas stayed on top of the points table after six matches. They have 25 points, the same as the Cheetahs, who are second.
It is only Hawies Fourie’s team who seem to be playing at the level of the Pumas and they will be pleased with their 26-17 win away from home against Western Province. With no other competitions to focus on, as is the case with the Pumas, Fourie and Co can give the Currie Cup their full attention.
Sadly, the Griffons, who also only have one competition to think about, don’t have the depth or experience to keep up with the likes of the Cheetahs and Pumas, though they did beat the Blue Bulls two weeks ago.
The men from Welkom prop up the points table with six points; that victory against the Bulls their only highlight so far.
The good news for Bulls fans is that with Jake White back overseeing matters, the men from Pretoria are back on the winning track after suffering four straight defeats first up.
After beating Griquas (40-3) last week for their first win of their campaign they also beat the Sharks in Durban on Friday (24-20) to move up the points table. They are now sixth with 13 points while the Sharks are third with 15.
In the big shock of round seven though, the Lions suffered their fourth defeat in six games, going down 18-25 to Griquas at home in Joburg on Sunday afternoon. It leaves the Lions in fifth place with 14 points, while Griquas are sixth, also with 14.
It leaves the fight for third and fourth place open and interesting with not too much separating several teams. The fight for top spot looks to be a race between the Pumas and Cheetahs.
Lions 18 Griquas 25
Griffons 6 Pumas 64
WP 17 Cheetahs 26
Sharks 20 Bulls 24
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