Currie Cup: Sharks shock Cheetahs as Province solidify top-four spot

In the day's first match, Western Province strengthened their bid for a place in the Currie Cup playoffs with a 22-14 victory over the reigning champions, the Pumas, at Athlone Stadium to solidify fourth place in the standings.

The Pumas got off to a flying start as prop Cameron Dawson scored a remarkable individual try in the opening minute, converted by Tinus de Beer for a 7-0 lead. Despite the setback, Province soon started a relentless period of attack, eventually breaking through the Pumas' defense with a try from Godlen Masimla.

Capitalizing on the numerical advantage after a yellow card to Pumas winger Lundi Msenge, Province extended their lead to 12-7 in the 30th minute with an unconverted try by skipper Jean-Luc du Plessis.

The Pumas hit back early in the second half via a try from winger Andrew Kota after a rolling maul near the Province try line to take a two-point lead. De Beer had a chance to extend their advantage with a penalty kick in the 64th minute, but his attempt fell short.

With seven minutes remaining, Province reclaimed the lead via a Du Plessis penalty, and they would make sure of the victory in the dying minutes of the match when lock Adre Smith crashed over for their third try deep in the Pumas' half.

The second match of the day took place at a rainy Kings Park, and saw the Sharks emerge victorious with a 35-23 win over the table-topping Cheetahs to secure second place on the Currie Cup log.

The men from Durban led 21-10 at half-time thanks to tries from winger Aphele Fassi and centre Alwayno Visagie and the steady boot of veteran flyhalf Lionel Cronje, whose 11 first-half points included a 50-meter penalty.

After the teams exchanged penalties at the start of the second half, Sharks scrumhalf Tiaan Fourie then scored their third try, converted by Cronje, to push their lead to 28-13 shortly before the hour mark.

The Cheetahs' challenges continued when replacement Louis van der Westhuizen was sent off in the 72nd minute for repeated infringements in the red zone. With their numerical advantage, the Sharks secured a bonus point as Dameon Venter scored a converted try from a maul.

In the final moments of the match, the Cheetahs managed to score a try through Daniel Maartens from another rolling maul, with Siya Masuku converting. However, it wasn't enough to bridge the gap, and the game ended with the Sharks victorious.