The Pumas, Western Province and Cheetahs continued their unbeaten start to the season, as Griquas opened their account in the second round of 2023 Currie Cup action.
On Friday, the Pumas held off a second-half surge from the Lions in Nelspruit to extend their Currie Cup winning streak to four matches with a 34-27 victory.
Later in Pretoria, WP handed the Vodacom Bulls a fourth straight loss at Loftus Versfeld, showing incredible fight to twice come from behind and claim a 41-33 win.
And on Sunday, Munier Hartzenberg scored four tries as the Cheetahs raced to a 52-12 rout of Griffons in Welkom, before Griquas recovered from an 18-point deficit to overhaul the Sharks in a dramatic 48-40 victory at Griqua Park.
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In the standings after two rounds, the Cheetahs, Pumas and WP are tied on 10 points, but the men from Bloemfontein have overtaken the defending champions at the summit by virtue of points difference.
Meanwhile, a bonus point for the Bulls bagged moves the winless Pretoria outfit off the foot of the table and above the last-placed Griffons.
Looking ahead to round 3, the Lions face the Griffons on Friday at Ellis Park (3pm), before the Cheetahs host the Bulls in Bloemfontein (5:05pm), with the Pumas and Griquas set to lock lock horns in the late kick-off at the Mbombela Stadium (7:10pm).
In the remaining game of the weekend, the Sharks entertain WP in Durban at 2pm on Sunday.
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Photo: @CheetahsRugby/Twitter