Defending champions the Free State Cheetahs lost their unbeaten start to the new Currie Cup Premier Division season after a surprise 30-25 defeat to Griquas in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
There were also wins for Western Province and the Sharks in round five, but it was the shock victory for Griquas that drew the headlines as they completed an excellent week. The Kimberley-based side had beaten Western Province in midweek action and took that form to the Cheetahs, who had won their opening three games in the defence of their title.
Lock De Wet Kruger scored his second try of the game late on to take the visitors to the win that gets their season back on track after they had opened the campaign with three defeats.
Western Province bounced back to winning ways with the proverbial game of two halves against the Blue Bulls at Newlands on Saturday. The hosts were utterly dominant in the opening period as the quick feet of young flyhalf Damian Willemse and expert finishing ability of wing Seabelo Senatla took them into the break leading 42-13 after six first half tries.
It looked as though the home side could be on for a record score against their old foes, but they found themselves on the back foot after a yellow card for EW Viljoen and could only manage a further three points via a penalty in the entire second period. The Bulls scored tries via Kefentse Mahlo (two) and Johan Grobbelaar and restored some pride, though Province still triumphed 45-34 for the bonus-point win.
It was a similar scenario at Ellis Park where the Sharks overturned a significant halftime deficit to roar back to victory over the Golden Lions, who lost forward Robbie Coetzee to a red card with 30 minutes remaining. The Lions led 24-5 at halftime, but the Sharks ended up winning the game 47-31 as their numerical supremacy in the second period saw them score six tries.
The win moved the Sharks to the top of the Premier Division table with 20 points from five games, with the Cheetahs in second place on 16, though they have played a game fewer. Griquas are in third with 13 points from fives games, with the Blue Bulls and Western Province two points back, both having played four times.
Western Province host the Golden Lions on Friday (19h00) to kick-off round six, while the Cheetahs are at the Blue Bulls (14h05) on Saturday and a day later Griquas will be confident of another win when they host the Pumas (14h30).