There is no place to hide in the Carling Currie Cup as the three visiting sides made life tough for their hosts this weekend, with the New Nation Pumas, Vodacom Bulls and Tafel Lager Griquas victorious. The Sigma Lions, DHL Western Province and Cell C Sharks will want to move on from this weekend as quickly as possible though, as home wins are crucial when aiming for the playoffs.
We however had to discuss the number of yellow cards that were dished out this weekend. The led to me asking who must be penalised, the player that creates the danger or the player that defends. At this stage, it is the defender that is always paying the price for player welfare.
We also discuss the future of the Currie Cup whose place in South African rugby is again under threat. I predict South Africa will deteriorate fast without a proper and competitive local series.
Weekend Wrap - Yellow Cards And Future Of Currie Cup Discussed
The New Nation Pumas, Vodacom Bulls and Tafel Lager Griquas all collected full houses of five log points on the road this weekend. While the defending champions from Pretoria surged to the top of the log with their big win in Cape Town, the Lowvelders and men from the Northern Cape ensured they remain in semi-final contention with victories in Johannesburg and Durban respectively.
Gutsy Tafel Lager Griquas deny Cell C Sharks in the game of cards
Determination trumped desperation as Tafel Lager Griquas claimed another big scalp when they defeated the Cell C Sharks 37-27 in a most unusual Carling Currie Cup clash at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.
Entering the encounter with wins over the Toyota Cheetahs, DHL Western Province and the Sigma Lions, the side from Kimberley added the Durbanites to their impressive list of victims.
And they did so in remarkable fashion as they overcame no less than five yellow cards – two back-to-back in the first half and three more in quick succession in the second stanza – to avenge their 30-16 first-round loss to the KwaZulu-Natalians back in June.
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks 27 (8) – Tries: Mpilo Gumede, Reniel Hugo, Yaw Penxe, Thembelani Bholi. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (2). Penalty: Curwin Bosch.
Tafel Lager Griquas 37 (21) – Tries: Daniel Kasende, Janco Uys, Ederies Arendse, Sibabalo Qoma. Conversions: George Whitehead (4). Penalties: George Whitehead (3).
Vodacom Bulls grab five against 14-man DHL WP
The Vodacom Bulls laid down a strong marker in the Carling Currie Cup when they beat DHL Western Province by 34-13 at DHL Newlands on Friday evening, to move to the top of the standings.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the visitors though, as the Capetonians doggedly hung on and refused to hand the momentum to the Vodacom Bulls after losing their Springbok hooker, Scarra Ntubeni, to a red card shortly before the break.
The men from Pretoria’s defence was solid though as they conceded only one try – in the opening minute – while scoring four.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province 13 (13) – Try: Paul de Wet. Conversion: Tim Swiel. Penalties: Tim Swiel (2).
Vodacom Bulls 34 (17) – Tries: Richard Kriel, Johan Grobbelaar, Zak Burger, Cornal Hendricks. Conversions: Johan Goosen (3), Chris Smith. Penalties: Johan Goosen (2).
New Nation Pumas edge Sigma Lions to stay in the hunt
The New Nation Pumas scored a third win in the 2021 Carling Currie Cup, beating the Sigma Lions 36-33 in a highly entertaining match at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Friday.
Both sides scored five tries, but once the visitors sorted out their discipline, the away win was always on the cards.
The Lowvelders delivered a commanding second-half performance after a very frustrating first half, which saw them trailing 21-10 and playing with 14 men twice in the opening 40.
Scorers:
Sigma Lions 33 (21) – Tries: Rabz Maxwane, Penalty try, PJ Botha, Courtnall Skosan, Sti Sithole. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2), Fred Zeilinga (2).
New Nation Pumas 36 (10) – Tries: Devon Williams, Shane Kirkwood, Etienne Taljaard (2), Erich Cronje. Conversions: Eddie Fouché (4). Penalty: Eddie Fouché.