Shaun Goosen looks back at the weekend’s rugby action which saw big URC wins for Irish sides, Cheetahs, Sharks maintain winning runs in Currie Cup and more!
Cheetahs, Sharks maintain winning runs in Currie Cup
The Cheetahs thrashed the Lions 66-14 at Toyota Stadium, while the Sharks beat the Pumas 24-10 in Mbombela on the weekend to ensure the two outfits remain at the summit of the Currie Cup standings. While they have both accumulated the same number of points (18) so far, the Free Staters occupy first with a superior points difference. In the only other game of the weekend, the Griquas fell 27-53 at home to the Bulls; the result seeing the latter sit just three-log points behind the Sharks in third.
The men from Kimberley are in fourth with 10-points, ahead of Western Province (fifth), the Pumas (sixth) and the winless Lions. The competition will resume next Wednesday.
Big URC wins for Irish sides
In URC action on the weekend, table-toppers Leinster pumped hosts Benetton 61-17, second-placed Ulster beat Cardiff 48-12 away and Munster (third) smashed Dragons 64-3 at Thomond Park. Much has been made of Ireland’s current rugby model, with many hailing it as the best in the game, and it’s easy to see why. The IRFU continue to lead the way and South Africa should take note.
In other results, Ospreys held off Zebre 27-22 in Swansea, Scarlets beat fourth-placed Glasgow 35-10 in Llanelli and seventh-placed Connacht were dealt a 56-8 hiding in Edinburgh.
Sarries pip Tigers in top of the table Prem clash
Second-placed Saracens sent out a reminder to the rest of the Premiership that their race is far from run with a 34-27 win over leaders Leicester at the StoneX on Saturday. While Mark McCall’s men may still struggle to claw back the 12-point deficit at the top, their victory on the weekend will give them a massive confidence boost with seven regular season games to play.
Elsewhere, Harlequins (third) beat Newcastle 24-10 at The Stoop, Bath claimed their fourth win (29-27 over Bristol at The Rec) to finally climb off the foot of the table, Gloucester beat Saints 35-30 at the Kingsholm, hosts London Irish (fifth) thumped Worcester 43-12 and fourth-placed Exeter beat Sale 19-12 at Sandy Park.
