The 2024 Currie Cup got off to a cracking start as the Cheetahs and Vodacom Bulls claimed statement victories, while the Pumas and Lions enjoyed positive road trips.
On Friday afternoon, the Pumas kicked off their campaign with a convincing 44-24 win over Griquas in Kimberley to gain revenge for their recent SA Cup final loss at the same venue.
In Friday’s second game, the Sharks XV and Lions dished up a thriller in Durban, with the Gauteng side emerging winners by a single point, 26-25, to break the hearts of the home supporters.
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Saturday saw the action move to Bloemfontein and a runaway 82-20 triumph for the Cheetahs in their Free State derby with the Griffons, and the opening round concluded on Sunday in drenching rain in Cape Town, where the Vodacom Bulls prevailed by 30-25 in a North-South derby over DHL Western Province.
The action continues from Friday until Sunday, with four more matches scheduled: Griquas tackle the Sharks XV, before the Pumas lock horns and Lions and Cheetahs face WP, with the Griffons crossing swords with the Bulls.
Fixtures:
Friday, 12 July
Griquas vs Sharks XV, Kimberley, 3pm
Pumas vs Lions, Nelspruit, 5:15pm
Saturday, 13 July
Cheetahs vs WP, Bloemfontein, 1:30pm
Sunday, 14 July
Griffons vs WP, Welkom, 3pm
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images