Currie Cup - Round 5: Sharks bag first win as Boland achieve incredible comeback

The Griquas, meanwhile, stunned the Bulls in Pretoria with a ruthless display capped by a hat-trick from Gurshwin Wehr, condemning the hosts to a third straight loss. There was also joy for the Sharks XV, who finally broke their duck with a spirited first win of the season at home to Western Province.

In one of the season’s most remarkable comebacks, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers stormed back from 21-3 down at halftime to defeat the Airlink Pumas 29-26 at Mbombela Stadium. The Pumas looked in full control early on, with Ross Braude bagging a brace and hooker Eduan Swart crashing over twice from driving mauls. Danrich Visagie’s accurate boot made it 21-3 at the break, leaving the visitors reeling after a disastrous spell with 13 men due to two yellow cards.

But Boland, inspired by a ferocious second-half effort, roared back. Tries from wingers Marcqiewn Titus and Xavier Mitchell brought them within touching distance, before tighthead prop Dayan van der Westhuizen powered over. James Tedder added two conversions and a penalty to narrow the deficit to just four points.

The decisive moment came late on when Darren Adonis deliberately knocked down a Boland attack, earning a yellow card and conceding a penalty try. That swung the score to 29-26 in favour of Boland, who held firm under pressure to seal a famous win that keeps their fairy-tale debut season rolling.

TRIES: 4 (Ross Braude 2, Eduan Swart 2)

CONVERSIONS: 3 (Danrich Visagie 3)

TRIES: 4 (Marcqiewn Titus, Xavier Mitchell, Dayan Van der Westhuizen, Penalty Try)

CONVERSIONS: 2 (James Tedder 2)

PENALTIES: 1 (James Tedder)

The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV finally claimed their first victory of the season, overcoming DHL Western Province 29-21 in Durban on Friday evening. In a tense, scrappy opening, Province struck first through Paul de Villiers, before Ezekiel Ngobeni added a second, with Kyle Smith converting both to give the visitors a 14-0 lead. However, the Sharks clawed back just before the break.

Phiko Sobahle capitalised on a loose kick for their opener, before Jaco Williams soared brilliantly to collect a Jean Smith kick and score. That left the hosts trailing just 14-12 at halftime. The Sharks carried that momentum into the second half, with prop Lee Mazibuko crashing over to hand them the lead. Bathobele Hlekani added a fourth try on the hour mark, converted by Smith, as the Sharks took control. WP threatened a late comeback when Brendan Venter dotted down, but Smith’s penalty goal in the closing minutes sealed a much-needed win for the KZN side.

The result lifts the Sharks XV off the bottom of the table, while WP remain rooted to last place still searching for their first victory.

TRIES: 4 (Phiko Sobahle, Jaco Williams, Lee Mazibuko, Bathobele Hlekani)

CONVERSIONS: 3 (Jean Smith 3)

PENALTIES: 1 (Jean Smith)

TRIES: 3 (Paul de Villiers, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Brendan Venter)

CONVERSIONS: 2 (Kyle Smith 2)

The Toyota Cheetahs produced a powerful attacking display to down the Fidelity ADT Lions 47-31 at Toyota Stadium, climbing to the top of the Currie Cup standings.

The Free Staters were relentless from the outset, with hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg bagging a quickfire brace from maul drives. Wing Prince Nkabinde added a superb finish before fullback Clayton Blommetjies muscled over for the bonus-point try, also converting his own effort. At 26-0 up after 30 minutes, the Cheetahs looked untouchable, though Gianni Lombard’s try before halftime gave the Lions hope.

The Johannesburg outfit roared back after the restart with scores from Morne Brandon, Angelo Davids, Nico Steyn and Rynhardt Jonker. Sam Francis converted three to bring the Lions within just two points at 33-31, sparking real tension.

But the Cheetahs showed composure in the closing stages. A penalty try restored breathing space, before scrumhalf Jandre Nel darted over to seal the win. Blommetjies added three conversions alongside Jasper’s earlier kicks, ensuring the Cheetahs claimed maximum points.

TRIES: 7 (Marko Janse van Rensburg 2, Prince Nkabinde, Clayton Blommetjies, Michael Annies, Jandre Nel, Penalty Try)

CONVERSIONS: 5 (Cohen Jasper 2, Clayton Blommetjies 3)

TRIES: 5 (Gianni Lombard, Morne Brandon, Angelo Davids, Nico Steyn, Rynhardt Jonker)

CONVERSIONS: 3 (Sam Francis 3)

The Suzuki Griquas extended their winning streak to four matches with a commanding 42-21 victory over the Vodacom Bulls at Grizzly Park, powered by a dazzling hat-trick from winger Gurshwin Wehr.

The Bulls struck first through centre Stravino Jacobs, converted by Boeta Chamberlain, but the Griquas hit back ruthlessly. Wehr crossed twice in quick succession before Cebo Dlamini finished off a flowing move, with George Whitehead converting all three to hand the visitors a 21-7 halftime lead.

The second half saw more of the same as Wehr completed his hat-trick just two minutes after the restart while Bulls captain Nama Xaba was in the sin bin. Moments later, Janco Uys powered over from a maul before Zane Bester added a sixth try. Whitehead was flawless from the tee, nailing all six conversions.

The Bulls battled back late, with Junior Pokomela and Katlego Letebele scoring consolation tries, but the damage had long been done. Griquas’ bonus-point triumph lifts them to third on the log, while the Bulls are left reeling after a third consecutive loss.

TRIES: 3 (Stravino Jacobs, Junior Pokomela, Katlego Letebele)

CONVERSIONS: 3 (Boeta Chamberlain 3)

TRIES: 6 (Gurshwin Wehr 3, Cebo Dlamini, Janco Uys, Zane Bester)

CONVERSIONS: 6 (George Whitehead 6)