Currie Cup: Lions maul Stormers, Sharks chomp Bulls

Lions 36-12 Stormers XXIII

The Lions moved into third place on the Currie Cup table after beating the Stormers XXIII 36-12 at Ellis Park, although their semi-final fate remains dependent on other results.

Five tries secured the bonus point and lifted the Lions to 20 points, three ahead of the Pumas and four clear of Boland.

Matt Coetzee opened the scoring with an early penalty before Gilermo Mentoe finished a flowing attack for the first try. Despite enjoying possession, the Stormers struggled to create clear opportunities, with handling errors and poor decisions hurting their attack.

The Lions extended their lead just before half-time when captain Jarod Cairns scored from a driving maul to make it 15-0.

Ethan Adams added a third try after the break from a chip-and-chase, before Renzo du Plessis powered through the defence to secure the bonus point.

Markus Muller finally got the Stormers on the board with an impressive individual effort, but their hopes faded further when Dominic Malgas was sent to the sin bin.

Latica Nela then crossed for the Lions, while Altus Rabe scored a late consolation for the visitors.

The result ended the Stormers' play-off hopes, while the Lions must wait for the Pumas-Cheetahs and Boland-Griquas results to discover their fate.

Sharks XV 53-22 Bulls XV

Tino Mavesere scored four tries as the Sharks XV defeated the Bulls XV 53-22 at Kings Park on Friday to keep their Currie Cup semi-final hopes alive.

The bonus-point victory lifted the Sharks into fourth place on 18 points, although their position remains precarious with the Pumas and Boland Cavaliers still capable of overtaking them.

Mavesere opened the scoring after five minutes from a driving maul before powering over again seven minutes later. The Bulls responded through Kebotile Maake, but the Sharks quickly regained control as Ross Braude crossed following a break from Luan Giliomee.

Tim Swiel then sliced through the Bulls defence to secure the bonus point before Mavesere completed his hat-trick. Braude added his second try shortly before half-time as the Sharks went into the break 36-7 ahead.

The Bulls showed more attacking intent after the interval, with Marnus Rademeyer and Brooklyn Newman crossing to reduce the deficit. However, Mavesere completed his remarkable four-try haul in the 66th minute.

Lavela Pongolo added another for the visitors, but replacement hooker Jacques Marais scored twice late on to take the Sharks beyond 50 points.

The Bulls ended the campaign with seven defeats from seven matches, while the Sharks must now wait on results between the Pumas and Cheetahs and Boland and Griquas to discover whether they have reached the semi-finals.

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