The Lions and Bulls managed to score three tries apiece, however, it was the kicking accuracy of Sam Francis – who succeeded with the three conversions and two penalty goals – that proved the difference between the two Gauteng neighbours.
Renzo du Plessis, Indiphile Tyeda and Nico Steyn each scored a try for the Joburg side, all of which were converted by Francis.
The Vodacom Bulls’ try scorers were Tiaan Lange, Ghudian van Reenen and Sonwabo Sokoyi, while Compion von Ludwig added a conversion and a one penalty goal .
The Toyota Cheetahs registered their first win of the campaign with their four-point win over the visiting Cell C Sharks outfit in a match played over lunchtime at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The Free Staters enjoyed a 13-7 advantage at the break and although both sides scored three tries each, it was however the two successful penalty kicks by Cheetahs flyhalf Juan Olivier that eventually proved the difference between the two sides.
Jandre Nel grabbed two tries and Bernard Venter also went over for the white jerseys, while Olivier kicked conversion and two penalty goals. The coastal side replied with Bryce Calvert, Andrew Beyrooti and Liqhayiya Gantsho each scoring a five-pointer, with Jean Smith slotting two conversions.
The U21 sides of Western Province and Leopards each had a bye during the fourth round action.
After the latest results, the Vodacom Bulls still in the lead on 16 points, followed by DHL WP second on 14 points. The Lions moved up to third place as a result of their hard-fought win in Joburg and they now have nine points, while the Leopards (8), Cell C Sharks (6) and Toyota Cheetahs (4) complete the standings.
However, the sides from Potchefstroom and Bloemfontein have played one game less than the four remaining teams, who only have one game left before the playoffs.
SA Under-21 Shield
Two matches were completed in the SA Rugby U21 Shield competition, with the Valke and Griffons both victorious.
In Kimberley, the visiting Valke scored their fourth win in five games when they outscored hosts Griquas 26-15; and in Welkom the Griffons made home advantage count as they outplayed the Pumas 46-36 in their encounter.
The Valke’s latest win result come after they managed to hold off Eastern Province by a narrow margin (37-36) the week before in Brakpan, while the SWD Eagles got the better of the Valke by 21-17 in a match that was also staged two weekends ago.
The Valke’s two latest results handed them the first place on the SA Rugby U21 Shield points table, with 20 points from their four wins, and they are followed by the Griffons on 19 points (and having played one game less), and the SWD (14), while EP (7), Griquas (5) and Pumas (2) complete the league table.
Latest results:
SA Rugby Under-21 Cup (Round 4):
Toyota Cheetahs 23, Cell C Sharks 19
Lions 27, Vodacom Bulls 20
SA Rugby Under-21 Shield (last two rounds):
Griquas 15, Valke 26
Griffons 46, Pumas 36
Valke 37, EP 36
SWD 21, Griquas 17
