Currie Cup: Round 3 Results
Griquas 24 – 21 Cheetahs
Currie Cup R3, Kimberley. Griquas end Cheetahs' unbeaten run. Four tries to three. Faf de Klerk off the bench in a late fightback that falls just short.
Lions 42 – 19 Bulls XV
Currie Cup R3, Johannesburg. Lions dominant in the Jukskei Derby. Led 28-0 at half-time. Six tries. Lions move top.
Stormers XXIII 36 – 28 Sharks
Currie Cup R3, Cape Town. Stormers bounce back with a bonus-point win after their heavy Round 2 defeat.
Pumas 20 – 15 Boland
Currie Cup R3, Wellington. Pumas end their two-match losing start. Boland's first defeat of the season.
Griquas end the Cheetahs' perfect run: Defending champions Griquas proved they are the team to beat, stopping the Cheetahs' unbeaten start in a gripping Kimberley derby. Griquas scored four tries to three, building a 17-7 half-time lead through Tiaan Lange, Carl Els and Bobby Alexander. The Cheetahs fought back strongly after the interval, and a late cameo from Faf de Klerk off the bench nearly completed a remarkable comeback before Griquas held firm. Frans Steyn had made the bold call to start de Klerk on the bench, with Rewan Kruger at scrumhalf from the first whistle. The debate about whether de Klerk is a starter or impact player adds another dimension to the Springbok recall conversation heading into the All Blacks series.
Lions dominant in the Jukskei Derby: The Lions moved to the top of the standings with a commanding performance at UJ Stadium, leading 28-0 at half-time and running in six tries in total. The Bulls, boosted by the return of six Junior Springbok world champions, had no answer to the Lions' physicality and tempo. Ruan Delport, Conraad van Vuuren and Morné Venter crossed in an emphatic first half. The Bulls remain winless after three rounds.
| Currie Cup Premier Division | P | W | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 |
| Griquas | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| Cheetahs | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| Boland Kavaliers | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Stormers XXIII | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Pumas | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| Sharks | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Bulls XV | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
Rugby's Greatest Rivalry: The All Blacks Have Landed
The All Blacks touched down in Cape Town this week, officially beginning one of the most anticipated rugby tours in 30 years. The squad have been greeted by enormous media attention and sold-out venues. The tour kicks off Friday August 7 when the All Blacks face the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium, the first provincial match of an eight-game series that concludes with a historic fourth Test in Baltimore on September 12. The two nations have seven Rugby World Cup titles between them and this is the greatest rivalry the sport has to offer. Full fixture schedule and background were covered in last week's edition.
LIPPY'S VIEW
I don't remember being as excited about an upcoming rugby tour. When I was a kid, I remember the All Blacks captained by Andy Leslie touring South Africa, and I still have visceral memories of the amazing battles of those legendary players. I think most rugby fans recognize that with South Africa having arguably one of the strongest sides in the history of the sport, and the All Blacks on a very encouraging rebuild, even though they are rebuilding from still being the number two team in the world, we are in for a remarkable eight weeks of rugby. This truly is one of the greatest rivalries in sport.
Around the Grounds: What the Pundits Are Saying
Albornoz charged by World Rugby: Argentina flyhalf Tomas Albornoz has been charged by World Rugby following the Nations Championship match against England after remonstrating aggressively with referee Angus Gardner after the final whistle, with reports of physical contact. He was charged under the Match Official Abuse Sanction Process. Albornoz faces a potential ban.
LIPPY'S VIEW
Even though I do think the ref missed the call at the end of the Pumas-England match, the response by Albornoz and the Argentine players and coaches has no place in our sport. After watching the soccer World Cup and the constant histrionics, arguing with the refs, and theatrical displays of fake injuries, we should be proud of how rugby has managed to keep that out. I believe that if, in soccer, they carded any player who argues with the ref, limited appeals only to the named captain, and also carded for diving and faking injuries, the sport would be a truly great display of athleticism. There is no place in rugby for that to creep in, and even if a call is bad, we have to keep the soccer hysterics out of the game.
South Africa's development squad in Argentina: The Springboks play Argentina in Buenos Aires this Saturday, August 8, with Rassie Erasmus sending a 26-man development squad while first-choice players prepare for the All Blacks. Argentina will see it as a genuine opportunity. The result will set a fascinating tone heading into the four-Test series.
LIPPY'S VIEW
It is telling that the Springbok side in Argentina for this weekend's test is being categorized as a "development" squad. With players like Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Siya Kolisi on the side, it speaks to the ridiculous depth of talent that the Springboks are enjoying at the moment.
The build-up in rugby media: The Breakdown NZ devoted a full segment to the altitude question ahead of Tests 1 and 3 at Johannesburg, describing acclimatisation as "the most underrated factor in All Blacks-Springboks history." RugbyPass Talking Rugby noted the four-Test format has generated more pre-tour coverage than any series in the past decade. Boks Unpacked argued the All Blacks' provincial performances against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls will reveal their genuine depth before the Tests.
Looking Ahead
Friday August 7: Rugby's Greatest Rivalry begins. All Blacks vs Stormers, Cape Town Stadium.
Saturday August 8: Argentina vs South Africa, Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires. Currie Cup Round 4 begins.
Tuesday August 11: All Blacks vs Sharks, Kings Park, Durban.
NPC Round 2 continues through the week.