Currie Cup: Griquas and Stormers win while Sharks, Lions stumble

The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV and Fidelity Lions, meanwhile, played out a dramatic 22-22 draw that left both sides facing an uncertain final round.

Sharks and Lions share spoils in late drama

The Sharks XV and Lions missed a major opportunity in the semi-final race after being forced to settle for a 22-22 draw at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

The result leaves the Sharks seventh on 13 points and the Lions sixth on 15, with both teams now relying on results elsewhere going their way in the final round.

The match was closely fought from the start, with both teams struggling for consistency in difficult conditions.

Lions flyhalf Sam Francis opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a penalty, while Sharks scrumhalf Ross Braude crossed for the first try of the match after a strong lineout drive.

The Lions responded when flanker Vuyo Gwiji powered over from close range, with Francis converting to give the visitors a 10-5 lead at half-time.

The Sharks came out strongly after the break, with 19-year-old hooker Willem van Wyk and right wing Christie Grobbelaar scoring quick tries to put the home side 17-10 ahead.

The Lions refused to surrender and drew level through hooker Armand Combrink, who finished a rolling maul after 55 minutes. Francis added a difficult conversion from the touchline.

The Sharks appeared to have secured the win when flanker Meno Barnard crossed with three minutes remaining, but Lions fullback Gilermo Mentoe had the final say.

Mentoe raced over after Junior Springbok centre Ethan Adams broke through the Sharks defence, bringing the Lions level at 22-22.

Francis had a chance to win it after the final hooter, but his conversion drifted wide.

The draw means neither side now controls its own semi-final destiny.

Stormers keep play-off hopes alive

The Stormers XXIII produced one of their best performances of the Currie Cup campaign as they defeated the winless Bulls XV 50-26 at Loftus Versfeld.

The result keeps the Stormers in contention for a semi-final place heading into their final-round meeting with the Lions.

The Bulls started brightly and enjoyed plenty of possession and territory, but poor finishing and strong Stormers defence repeatedly denied the hosts.

The Stormers took control when Markus Muller scored in the 16th minute after a break by Mfundo Ndhlovu, with Kyle Smith converting.

Smith then crossed himself six minutes later following a flowing move involving the forwards and backs.

Luke Burger made another important break from the restart, allowing Herman Lubbe to score the Stormers' third try in the 26th minute.

The Bulls eventually responded through Junior Bok captain Siphosethu Mnebelele, who powered over from a lineout maul.

The Stormers continued to punish mistakes, however, with a fourth try after a loose Bulls ball allowed them to break away. Vernon Paulo then crossed shortly before half-time to give the visitors a commanding advantage.

The Bulls were reduced to 14 men early in the second half when Abongile Nonkontwana was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Smith.

The Stormers took advantage, with Leotlela scoring his second try in the 46th minute.

The Bulls fought back through Demitre Erasmus and Jon Hobson before Kebotile Maake secured their fourth try and bonus point with 11 minutes remaining.

But the Stormers had the final word when replacement Eric Basson scored from a five-metre lineout maul to complete the 50-point haul.

Griquas power past Pumas

Griquas strengthened their claim for a home semi-final with a dominant 38-14 victory over the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium.

The visitors scored five tries to two and moved five points clear at the top of the standings ahead of the Cheetahs' clash with the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers.

Griquas needed only five minutes to open the scoring, with centre Mnombo Zwelendaba creating space for Zane Bester to race over.

The Pumas were reduced to 14 players soon afterwards when Ruwald van der Merwe was yellow-carded for a head-on-head tackle.

Griquas immediately took advantage, with Tiaan Lange finishing a powerful driving maul before Lourens Oosthuizen broke several tackles to score their third try in the 34th minute.

The Pumas finally responded when Clinton Swart crossed in the 37th minute, but George Whitehead added a penalty before half-time to leave Griquas 24-7 ahead.

Griquas secured their bonus point early in the second half when Bobby Alexander took a quick tap and released Gurswin Wehr for another try.

The Pumas responded through Junior Banda after Griquas wing Dylan Maart was yellow-carded, but their hopes were damaged further when Jan-Henning Campher was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous cleanout, with the sanction upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

Bester completed his strong performance by scoring his second try in the 78th minute as Griquas finished with a convincing victory.

With the Currie Cup semi-final race now reaching its decisive stage, Griquas have put themselves in an excellent position, while the Stormers, Lions and Sharks face a tense final round.

The final match of the round will see the Toyota Cheetahs host the Boland Cavaliers in Bloemfontein on Sunday.