Maartens double helps Cheetahs see the light - eventually

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THE Cheetahs moved to the top of the Currie Cup standings with a resounding 33-10 win over the bottom-placed Griffons in chaotic circumstances.

It was a rocky start as faltering floodlights halted proceedings inside one minute, forcing a two-hour wait.

But eventually, play began and flanker Daniel Maartens gave the Cheetahs the lead before Tapiwa Mafura’s brace gave the hosts a 21-3 half-time advantage.

Maartens then scored a second and substitute Evardi Boshoff’s late try roundwas ed off their sixth win of the tournament and sends them clear at the top by two points.

Western Province stunned a Springbok-laced Bulls outfit 31-7 as the bonus-point win moves them into the top four.

Despite the likes of Kurt-Lee Arense, Marco van Staden and Cornal Hendricks featuring for the Bulls, it one-way traffic as Sacha Mngomezulu led the way with 16 points.

Elsewhere, the Lions overcame the defending champions Pumas 26-10 behind a destructive defensive display.

Lions scrum-half Morne van den Berg was a livewire for the hosts, setting up Manuel Rass for the opening try before darting through the defensive line to score himself minutes later. Both added to their tallies in the second half to give the Lions a vital win over the pre-round league leaders.

The Sharks brushed aside the Griquas 24-6 to jump into third place at a rain-soaked Kings Park.

Alwanyo Visagie and Kerron van Vurren’s tries gave the Sharks a 14-6 lead at the break before the hosts then kept their opponents scoreless in the second half and added a third try through the impressive Bradley Davids to seal the deal.