Currie Cup - Round 10
Ruthless Lions tear into Leopards
ESPNscrum Staff
September 16, 2011
Lions lock Johan Snyman stretches for the line, Golden Lions v Leopards, Currie Cup, Profert Olen Park, Potchefstroom, South Africa, September 16, 2011
Lock Johan was one of five try-scorers for the Lions © Getty Images
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The Golden Lions maintained their place at the summit of the Currie Cup table with a resounding 43-23 victory over the Leopards in Potchefstroom. The Lions ran in six tries in a bonus-point victory that gives them a ten point lead at the top of the table.

The Leopards took an early lead with a penalty from fly-half Wesley Dunlop. But the Lions soon took charge with flanker Derick Minni smashing over to score. Jaco Taute then dummied his way through the Leopards defence to increase the Lions' lead and Minni grabbed his second from a driving maul off the back of a lineout. Lions fly-half Elton Jantjies all three conversions as the Lions established a 21-9 lead with Dunlop kicking a further two penalties for the Leopards.

In the second half the Lions ran away with the game, scoring a further three tries through prop Pat Cilliers, winger Michael Killian and lock Johan Snyman. Jantjies continued his fine form with the boot, kicking two conversions and a penalty for a personal haul of 13 points. The Leopards scored two consolation tries through replacement Johann Laker and hooker Gavin Williamson, with substitute Clayton Durand kicking both conversions.

The Lions' closest rivals, Western Province, slipped to a 28-20 defeat to the Blue Bulls in Pretoria. The Bulls raced into a 20-3 half-time lead after CJ Stander rounded under the posts and Wynand Olivier put Zane Kirchner away for their second try of the half. Francois Brummer converted both tries as well as landing two penalties.

Western Province hit back after the break with Danie Poolman touching down and Isma-eel Dollie converting to add to his earlier penalty. Brummer kicked a further penalty but Province responded with a try from Michael Brache to reduce the deficit to eight points. However Olivier cantered in after Conrad Jantjes was turned over five metres from his own line while Siya Kolisi got a late consolation for Western Province.

Free State Cheetahs crushed the Natal Sharks 53-32 at the Free State Stadium. Young fly-half Johan Goosen kicked 26 points as well as scoring a try as the Cheetahs consolidated fourth spot in the standing. Lappies Labuschagne ran in two tries and Ashley Johnson and Tewis de Bruyn also touched down in the convincing victory in Bloemfontein. Springbok reject Lwazi Mvovo scored two tries while Jacques Botes and Stefan Terblanche also crossed for the Sharks.

The Pumas secured their first win of the season with a thrilling 34-31 victory over Griquas. Replacement Carl Bezuidenhout crashed over and converted his own try in the final minute of the game to claim the victory and go ahead of the Leopards in the standings.

The Pumas had headed into the break 9-7 up after fly-half Ricardo Croy landed three penalties in response to a converted try from Marnus Schoeman. Griquas No.10 Earl Rose and Bezuidenhout, on as a blood replacement for Croy, exchanged penalties early in the second half. Croy returned to the fray to barge over and convert his own try as the Pumas established a nine-point lead with 30 minutes remaining.

Schoeman grabbed his second try for Griquas before Hendrik van der Nest and Marthinus van der Westhuizen touched down for the Pumas. Rocco Jansen and Riaan Viljoen responded with tries for Griquas but Bezuidenhout had the final say with a last-minute try.

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