Ulster moved top of the URC log with a bonus-point victory (32-12) over Connacht while the DHL Stormers became the South African Shield log leaders following a dominant win of 20-10 over the visiting Cell C Sharks.
Ireland squad member Robert Baloucoune touched down twice as Ulster climbed to the top of the United Rugby Championship table with a 32-12 bonus-point win against Connacht in Belfast.
The first half ended with Ulster scoring their third try when Stuart McCloskey and Lowry combined to put Baloucoune in space and the winger did the rest with his searing pace. Doak again converted and Ulster led 21-5 at half-time.
Greg Jones and hooker Declan Moore – a late addition to the starting XV – also got on the scoresheet before Baloucoune crossed at the end of each half, while Nathan Doak kicked all three conversions and two penalties.
Ulster now sits two points clear of second-placed Edinburgh having played a game more.
The Vodacom Bulls made it back-to-back Vodacom United Rugby Championship wins over the Emirates Lions with a 21-13 victory in Pretoria.
Jake White’s men were 34-10 winners when these sides met in Johannesburg last weekend and rarely looked like surrendering the lead after first going in front in the 25th minute.
Marcell Coetzee and Johan Grobbelaar touched down in the first half, while Kurt-Lee Arendse added a third early in the second period, although the Bulls fell short of securing a bonus point.
The Lions had to make do with a late consolation try from Ruben Schoeman and eight points from the boot of Tiaan Swanepoel, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the South African Shield and two places off the foot of the overall table.
The DHL Stormers climbed to the top of the South African Shield with a 20-10 victory over the Cell C Sharks in Cape Town.
Sean Everitt’s visitors held a two-point lead at the summit following last weekend’s 22-22 draw between these sides in Durban, but it is the Stormers who now set the pace by the same margin.
Both sides struggled to take their chances in the first half, but Seabelo Senatla produced a piece of individual quality as half-time approached to send the Stormers in with a 7-3 lead at the interval.
Adre Smith powered over after the break, with Manie Libbok kicking 10 points for the hosts in total.
The below-par Sharks were restricted to three points from the boot of Tito Bonilla until Grant Williams touched down shortly after the hour and Boeta Chamberlain added the conversion.
