For the Currie Cup Roud 4 in the year 2019, all the provinces could still potentially qualify for the play-offs. The Pumas were in the toughest position as they absolutely needed a win.
The Free State Cheetahs and the Golden Lions were unbeaten before the Round 4. The Sharks wanted to keep some momentum while the Blue Bulls wanted to do a similar thing this weekend.
The Griquas were not out of the play-offs race but had to bounce back from their disappointing outing the weekend before. The Western Province had te bye weekend and will play again in Round 5
Currie Cup – Round 4 – Review
* Game X : Cheetahs vs. Lions (Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa)
The Cheetahs started well with Joseph Dweba scoring from a maul. Walt Steenkamp got a second try with Ruben Schoeman binned for the Golden Lions. Marnus van der Merwe got a try.
Madosh Tambwe scored a try for the Golden Lions. In the second-half, Darron Adonis was binned for the home side. Tyrone Green finished a build-up and Wandisile Simelane scored.
The Golden Lions had another yellow-card with Rhyno Herbest. The Cheetahs got the lead back with a penalty from Louis Fouché. Shaun Reynolds landed a kick after that (FT : 22-24).
* Game XI : Pumas vs. Sharks (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa)
The Pumas landed a penalty thanks to Christopher Smith. However, Willie Engelbrecht was yellow-carded. Lwazi Mvovo found space out wide and Kobus van Wyk scored on the counter-attack.
Christopher Smith kicked his second penalty before Curwin Bosch got a stunning try. Christopher Smith scored his third penalty. In the second-half, François Kleinhans scored from the re-start.
Christopher Smith and Curwin Bosch both landed penalties. The Pumas had another try with Simon Westraadt while Christopher Smith kicked one last penalty towards the end of the contest (FT : 27-20).
* Game XII : Bulls vs. Griquas (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa)
The Blue Bulls got the first try thanks to a great run from Rosko Specman. Ederies Arendse was binned for the Griquas as Manie Libbok kicked a penalty. Though, Zak Burger was on the scoreboard.
He got a brace a few moments later and George Whitehead kicked two penalties. In the second-half, Eduan Keyter got a try for the Griquas as the Bulls replied with a maul try with Marco Van Staden.
Manie Libbok was denied a try as George Whitehead kicked a penalty. Rosko Specman later dropped the ball as he was about to score the try. The Griquas scored again with Victor Sekekete (FT : 15-37).
The Talking Points :
The Round 4 brought many surprises and the competition is now unpredictable. The Golden Lions are the only side unbeaten with the Cheetahs having to bounce back quickly.
The Pumas are back in the race along with the Griquas. The Blue Bulls and the Sharks are now in serious trouble after tough displays. Western Province come back from the bye next weekend.
Conclusion
For the Currie Cup Round 5, the Western Province will try to get momentum back at home against the Pumas. The Cheetahs will have to do the same in Durban against the Sharks who are under pressure.
Also, the Lions will host the Bulls at home. The Griquas will have the bye weekend. As for now, the standings are remaining very close. All the provinces can still make the play-offs in a few weeks.
The last three Rounds will be defining as picking up the maximum of points could prove crucial. The play-offs race might be decided as well by the bonus points so all the points will be important.
Max.
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