It may have kicked off in the shadow of the Springboks this weekend, but the Carling Currie Cup sprung into life with three away wins for sides in the Premier Division, and a whole lot to talk about.
There were big wins - not so much in scoreline - but in terms of making a statement for the likes of the Vodacom Blue Bulls, Fidelity ADT Lions and the Airlink Pumas as the domestic competition kicked off in its new spot between Vodacom United Rugby Championship seasons.
But in terms of a statement of points, the Toyota Cheetahs were the one side to sound a warning as they demolished the Novavit Griffons 82-20 in a one-sided contest to signal their intent in the competition.
Full-Time:
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) July 6, 2024
🏆The Currie Cup
Toyota Cheetahs 82-20 NovaVit Griffons#CHEvGRI#TheCarlingCurrieCup @ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/oEy9bbcFLO
And as much as this is seen as a competition for development, there were old heads aplenty reminding all of the vast amount of talent in the country and how some players should not have been forgotten.
In Bloemfontein, there was no better example than that of former Springbok S’bu Nkosi, whose fall from grace and battle with mental health has been well-documented. Nkosi found himself on the scoresheet with a beautiful try as the Cheetahs scored twelve in total to start their campaign with a bang.
While the scoreline in Bloemfontein was the biggest, it was the Pumas who sent out the strongest message of the weekend, as they downed Griquas 44-22 in Kimberley to get the first away victory of the season.
Given that Griquas are perennially tough to beat in Kimberley and both sides have eyes on the Currie Cup trophy, the victory for Jimmy Stonehouse’s side is particularly impressive.
BULLS SECURE RARE CAPE WIN
In Cape Town, his former Bok partner Aphiwe Dyantyi looked full of running at centre, as the Bulls grabbed a rare victory down south against their age-old foes in monsoon rain on Sunday afternoon.
FULL TIME 🏆 #BackTheBulls | #DefendTheHerd pic.twitter.com/hqQ8YZIi9r
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 7, 2024
The Bulls bench was the difference in the game, with their second-half substitutes propelling them to a 30-13 lead before they took their foot off the pedal and allowed two late tries for Western Province to claim two points from the match.
The Bulls themselves didn’t get a bonus point, and that late slump may well be pivotal later in the season, although the Pretoria side, with a wealth of experience and new signings Cobus Wiese, Sintu Manjezi, Boeta Chamberlain and Bok training camp flanker Celimpilo Gumede, should have been a lot further ahead given the dominance in the rain.
The weather may have contributed a lot to it, but both sides will probably feel satisfied given the conditions that were truly unfit for any competitive game.
The Sharks XV may have lost a one-point thriller to the Lions, fluffing a chance with the conversion to take the game away from the visitors after a late try by Nic Hatton gave them a chance to snatch it the death.
Lionel Cronje missed a conversion to seal the game, handing the Lions a famous win but the home side will be particularly happy with the crop of youngsters that showed so much fight, including midfielder Diego Appolis and winger Jaco Willaims who were impressive.
Jarod Cairns was impressive for the Lions, who had a number of URC players in their squad.
Currie Cup opening weekend results:
Griquas 24 Pumas 44
Sharks 25 Golden Lions 26
Cheetahs 82 Griffons 20
Western Province 25 Blue Bulls 30