Currie Cup wrap: Bulls hand defending champion Cheetahs their first defeat

Right winger Henry Immelman scored twice in his first appearance of the season as the Bulls secured a 25-13 victory on a day that also saw wins for the Lions and Pumas.

The Bulls extended their 17-6 half-time lead with Immelman's second try and solid contributions from flyhalf Chris Smith, who added two conversions and a penalty.

Despite a valiant effort, including a try from loose forward Daniel Maartens and six points from Ethan Wentzel, the Cheetahs could not close the gap after the break. Maartens' yellow card for a breakdown infringement allowed Jaco van der Walt to seal the win for the Bulls with a late penalty.

The defeat was the first of the campaign for the Cheetahs, who must regroup ahead of their clash with the Griffons in Welkom next week. Meanwhile, the Bulls will face Western Province in their next match.

Earlier in the day, the Lions secured top spot on the Currie Cup table with a 25-13 win over the Griquas in Johannesburg.

The home side opened the scoring when winger Rabz Maxwane broke into the 22m, setting up inside centre Rynhardt Jonker for their first try. Moments later, scrumhalf Nico Steyn added to the try-scoring tally following a quick tap penalty, converted by Sam Francis.

The Griquas fought back just before halftime, with flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela kicking a penalty and flank Carl Els scoring an unconverted try.

The second half saw Francis extend the Lions' lead with a penalty, but Zinedine Robertson responded for the Griquas, scoring an unconverted try to narrow the gap to 15-13.

The turning point came when two quick yellow cards for the Griquas reduced them to 13 men. Lock Athenkosi Khetani was carded for cynical play, and replacement lock Derik Pretorius followed for a penalty try. Francis' second penalty then pushed the Lions to a 25-13 lead.

Despite a late push from the Griquas, the Lions held on to secure the win which moves them to the top of the table with three wins from three, level on points with the Bulls but ahead on points difference.

The day's other match saw the Pumas prove too strong for the Sharks despite the Durban outfit enjoying home ground advantage, with the visitors winning 31-21.

The match was all but over as a contest after the first half, which saw the Pumas score four unanswered tries to take a 24-0 lead into the break. Clinton Swart, Darren Adonis, Ntsika Fisante and Eduan Swart all crossed the whitewash during a one-sided first 40 minutes.

A converted try from Dian Bleuler in the 55th minute gave the Sharks the briefest hope of a fightback but it didn't last long, as Phiko Shobale hit back for the Pumas with their fifth try of the evening not long after.

The Sharks finished strongly in the final 15 minutes with two more tries but it was too little too late as the Pumas departed Durban with all five points.

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