Griquas and Lions revive Currie Cup campaigns in style with big wins

Griquas run in eight tries to hammer Bulls in Currie Cup clash

Defending champions Griquas bounced back from an opening-round defeat by overpowering the Bulls 56-26 in a bonus-point Currie Cup triumph at Griqua Park in Kimberley on Saturday.

Pieter Bergh's side, beaten by the Stormers the previous week, crossed the whitewash eight times to claim their first victory of the 2026 campaign.

Scrumhalf Bobby Alexander marked his 50th appearance for the hosts with a hat-trick, while left wing Gurswin Wehr also bagged three tries. George Whitehead contributed 16 points without missing a kick.

The Bulls struck first through inside centre PA van Niekerk, but Alexander and Wehr quickly turned the contest around. Hakeem Kunene kept the visitors within reach before Alexander grabbed his second, and IG Prinsloo added another as Griquas carried a 28-19 lead into the break despite Devon Williams' late response.

Louis Oosthuizen and Alexander extended the advantage after half-time before Riyaad Bam replied for the Bulls. Wehr completed his treble late on as Griquas pulled away. They next host the Cheetahs, while the Bulls travel to face the Lions.

Lions run riot in seven-try victory over Pumas

The Lions reignited their Currie Cup campaign with a commanding 52-29 victory over the Pumas at Ellis Park on Saturday, collecting the maximum points after an opening-round defeat.

In a free-flowing contest featuring 11 tries, the hosts crossed seven times to the visitors' four, with Jarod Cairns, Rynhardt Jonker, Likhona Finka and Latica Nela producing outstanding displays. Their forwards also controlled the breakdown and repeatedly punished Pumas errors.

The visitors made the brighter start as Danrich Visagie kicked an early penalty before Finka finished a sweeping move for the Lions' first try.

Cairns added another after crisp handling, while a penalty try just before the break, following Dalvon Blood's yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, helped the Lions edge into a four-point half-time lead.

Jonker helped create Cairns' second try early in the second half before setting up Nela and later scoring himself. Nela completed a brace as the Lions comfortably closed out the win, keeping alive their hopes of reaching a third successive Currie Cup final. 

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