Elton Jantjies played his part in the Lions' victory over the Griquas at Ellis Park © Getty Images

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News: Ruthless Lions tear into Leopards

Matches: Golden Lions 41 - 25 Griquas

Tournaments/Tours: Currie Cup

Teams: Blue Bulls | Free State | Golden Lions | Griquas | Pumas | Western Province

The Golden Lions made it eight wins from nine games in this season's Currie Cup with a 41-25 victory over the Griquas in Johannesburg on Friday night.

The hosts effectively put the outcome beyond doubt by racking up three tries while the Griquas were down to 14 men following the first-half sin-binning of fly-half Earl Rose for a professional foul. With the Lions already three points to the good following a penalty from Elton Jantjies, Deon van Rensburg claimed the first, on 16 minutes, after a sustained spell of pressure. The winger was followed over by Patric Cilliers moments later and then Michael Killian touched down after leaving two would-be tacklers for dead.

Fullback Rudi Vogt slotted two penalties to keep the Griquas in contention but they fell further behind just after half-time when van Rensburg cruised over for his second try of the game after some neat interplay with fullback Jaco Taute. Jantjies then set Alwyn Hollenbach for a score and it appeared as if the Griquas were going to be on the end of a real hiding.

However, credit to the visitors, they rallied late on and put a respectable slant on the scoreline with tries from Jonathan Mokuena, Ryno Barnes, Earl Rose. The night belonged to the Lions, though, and they sealed a fine win when Taute blazed through to score just after the hooter.

Western Province thrashed the Leopards 49-21 in Newlands on Saturday evening to secure their fourth straight win and keep the pressure on the Golden Lions.

The Leopards had started well and ran in two tries in the opening quarter with scrum-half Whestley Moolman and centre Charl Weideman both touching down. However flanker Tertius Daniller burst through the Leopards defence to score in the 27th minute and Western Province took control from there.

Fly-half Isma-eel Dollie converted the try, adding to a previous penalty, and then slotted two further three-pointers to put his side ahead. After the break Western Province pulled away. First flanker Nick Fenton-Wells scored Province's second try before winger Danie Poolman dived in at the corner as the game approached the 60th minute.

Dollie made way for scrum-half Nic Groom who promptly grabbed Province's bonus point as he raced away to score. Hoffman Maritz pulled a try back for the Leopards but prop Brok Harris and flanker Siya Kolisi scored further tries for Western Province to confirm a comfortable victory.

The Sharks eventually overcame the struggling Pumas 33-20 at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday. The Sharks opened the scoring when hooker Craig Burden barged over the try line in the 11th minute after a grubber kick ahead from Keegan Daniel. But the Pumas came back into the game when JW Jonker put Coenie van Wyk over to score. Van Wyk then grabbed his second try after snatching an interception and sprinting clear to touchdown. The fly-half converted both tries.

However, the Sharks reasserted themselves before the break with Jean Deysel barging over. The score gave the Sharks momentum going into the second half and replacement lock Anton Bresler finished off a good team move early in the second period. Fellow replacement Jacques Botes came off the bench to claim two late tries as the Sharks bagged a vital five points.

Louis Fouche landed a touchline penalty to clinch a 22-22 draw for the Blue Bulls against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. The Bulls were trailing 22-12 with ten minutes remaining but Francois Venter burst through the Cheetahs defence to touch down. The 21-year-old Fouche converted before keeping his nerve to land a long-range late penalty.

Fouche's opposite number, Johan Goosen, had done his best to lead the Cheetahs to victory, landing five penalties and a conversion and setting up a try for Wilhelm Steenkamp. But Fouche with five penalties and a conversion in total had the dramatic final say.