Defending champions DHL Western Province, the Hollywoodbets Sharks and the Vodacom Bulls opened a gap at the top of the standings after all three were victorious in their fifth round SA Rugby Under-21 Cup clashes staged over the past weekend.
Holders WP, in pursuit of a third national title in a row, are still unbeaten following their 87-19 demolition of the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Sharks solidified their second place on the log behind the Capetonians by overwhelming the Leopards 80-38 in their league meeting in Durban, also on Saturday.
In the remaining fixture staged last Friday evening in Pretoria, the Bulls walked away with the bragging rights in their Gauteng derby with neighbours Fidelity ADT Lions, courtesy of a 46-35 victory.
The competition now pauses for a few weeks and action resumes on the weekend of 30 August, when the sixth-round fixtures will be staged.
WP outscored the Cheetahs by 13 tries to three, and the Cape side were already firmly in the driving seat by halftime as they managed to surge into a 33-5 advantage at the Toyota Stadium.
Junior Boks Xola Nyali (three tries) and Ollie Reid (two tries) were amongst the try scorers for WP, while SA U20 flyhalf Kyle Smith scored a try and slotted nine conversions. Junior Bok scrumhalf Erich Visser was one of the three try scorers for the Cheetahs.
In Durban, three Sharks scored two tries each, namely Khuti Rasivhaga (right wing), Sphephelo Mbonambi (lock) and Chijindu Okota (replacement fullback), while flyhalf Fred Marx hit the target with 10 conversions as they outscored the Leopards by 12 tries to six. The Leopards' Hanro Vorster (hooker) crossed the line for two tries while MJ Mostert (flyhalf) scored a try and four conversions.
The Gauteng derby between the Bulls and Lions delivered a tense match in Pretoria, with the hosts edging their neighbours by six tries to five. The two teams were separated by just three points at the break, with the score 24-21 in favour of the men in blue.
Bulls pivot Ian van der Merwe contributed a try, four conversions and a penalty goal, while Junior Bok outside back Gilermo Mentoe (two tries) and Haashim Pead were on the scoresheet for the Lions, with Nic Gabrielsen adding three conversions.
After the latest round of league fixtures, DHL WP are in the driving seat with 23 points from their four wins and a draw, two more points than the Hollywoodbets Sharks (21). The leading duo are followed by the Vodacom Bulls in third on 18 points, the Fidelity ADT Lions on 13 points, the Leopards (seven points) and Toyota Cheetahs (four points).
