Rest assured Breyton Paulse wasn't the only Springbok doing cartwheels as South Africa celebrated a ground-breaking round of Super 14 rugby domination.

The veteran wing's extravagant try-scoring celebration hasn't been seen in these parts for a while but was totally understandable after the bottom-pla ced Stormers upset the Hurricanes 30-17 in Palmerston North last night.

And as if Paulse's bonus-point securing touchdown was not enough to have fans in the Republic rejoicing, the Stormers' deserved victory proved just the preamble to an historic weekend for the South African franchises -- the first time they have all emerged unbeaten in this, the 12th season of Super rugby.

The unfancied Lions continued to gather momentum by clawing their way to a 26-20 comeback win over the Reds in Brisbane last night while the Bulls had earlier created their own slice of history with their maiden win in fortress Canberra -- a typically gritty 19-7 triumph over a pale imitation of the usually efficient ACT Brumbies.

Then, when it appeared things could not get any rosier for supporters who have never savoured a Super rugby crown, the unbeaten Sharks gratefully profited from a last-minute meltdown by the Crusaders in Durban early today to snatch an improbable 27-26 victory.

Ironically, the luckless Chiefs spoiled the party, preventing a clean sweep when Stephen Donald slotted a last-minute penalty to salvage a 22-22 draw against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein early Saturday (NZT).

That blemish aside, the South Africans issued an ominous warning and now occupy three of the top four spots in a congested table.

The impressive Blues (18) continue to lead following their 28-9 round opening defeat of the Highlanders on Friday night but have the Sharks -- with a game in hand -- hard on their heels with 16.

The unfashionable Lions, who until last week had never won in Australia, are third on points differential while the Bulls (13) got their road trip off to the ideal start.

It was another underwhelming weekend for the Australian quartet -- who could not conjure up a win despite the New South Wales Waratahs and Western Force jousting on Friday night in Sydney.

They fumbled their way to a 16-16 stalemate in a turgid encounter destined to be remembered for Lote Tuqiri's reaction after teammate Sam Norton-Knight opted to take a quick tap when the Waratahs had been given a potentially match-winning penalty kick in injury time.

The move came unstuck and Tuqiri, who is entertaining a return to rugby league, shoved Norton-Knight in the back after the final whistle and stormed off the ground. He later apologised.

The Crusaders also had some explaining to do after they blew a 26-20 advantage with time up on the clock at ABSA Stadium.

After building a six-point buffer with six minutes remaining the defending champions failed to close out the win in customary fashion.

Needing only to kick the ball out after gaining a turnover in the 81st minute, they played on seeking a third try, lost possession deep in Sharks territory and were powerless to stop Odwa Ndgugane streaking 60m into the left hand corner.

Scott Hamilton's gallant pursuit gave Ruan Pienaar a challenging angle but he calmly nailed the sideline conversion.

Crusaders players later claimed they had not heard the hooter sound amid the din generated by 32,000 spectators.

While the seventh-placed Crusaders could curse one that inexplicably got away, the Hurricanes were sounding beaten by a Stormers side all but written off on the home front.

The four tries to two defeat was compounded by a potentially serious knee injury to Ma'a Nonu, hardly ideal as they are about to embark on a trip to Perth, Durban and Johannesburg.

The Blues, meanwhile, were New Zealand's only success story after they outlasted a stubborn Highlanders outfit, boosted by the return from injury of Nick Evans, at Eden Park.

Ian Foster's 13th-placed Chiefs also had cause for muted celebration after finally finishing a match without earning a bonus point for losing by less than seven.

Rather than go for the win when awarded a late penalty stand-in captain Tom Willis pointed to the posts and Donald duly delivered.

"It may not have been the emotional decision you want to make but you have to get points in this championship," Foster said.