Keep an eye on the gutsy Pumas

WHILE last weekend didn’t disappoint when it came to upsets and almost-theres in the Currie Cup, things are likely to get even more thrilling from here on.

In the competition’s first round back after a break, the Pumas showed some muscle as they pushed for a play-off spot by pulling an upset win over the Sharks on Friday afternoon, while the Bulls and the Cheetahs – the top two teams on the log – had to grind it out for their victories against Griquas and the Lions, espectively.

The Bulls team was glossed up with several of their United Rugby Championship (URC) players, and while they held a healthy 36-5 lead at half-time and appearing set to complete the second half in cruise control, the Kimberley outfit again showed just why you can never really count them out as they put the hosts to work at their fortress, URC stars and all.

Griquas scored 33 points after the break, but the Bulls didn’t lie down as they also ran in 12 more to ultimately end the game 48-38.

While the Lions looked better in performance, just like they had in the last game before the break, they just couldn’t transfer that improvement onto the scoreboard.

Their most recent result saw the men from Johannesburg slump to their ninth defeat in the competition.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Bulls retained their one-point lead at the top of the standings, and with three rounds of regular-season action to go, the battle for top spot intensifies between the Bulls and the unbeaten Cheetahs.

This weekend, the Pumas will host Western Province, who had a bye last weekend, at Mbombela Stadium on Friday (7pm kick-off), while the Cheetahs will take on the Sharks at Free State Stadium on Saturday (2:30pm). The Bulls will square off with the Lions in the final game of the weekend (5pm).

The Pumas’ convincing win over the Sharks certainly made things more interesting.

While the Bulls are at the top of the points column, the Bloemfontein side have a game in hand, which makes it a proper two-horse race for top spot.

As far as the rest of the play-off spots go, the Sharks and Griquas are in good positions for semi-final berths, while the Pumas also have a chance with three games remaining.

WP, all the way down in sixth position, have managed to win just one of their Currie Cup outings this season.