In Johannesburg, the Bulls claimed a full house of five points – and the bragging rights – with a 37-22 win against the Lions in the big Jukskei derby at Ellis Park.

David Kriel, Cobus Wiese, Marcell Coetzee, and Akker van der Merwe all scored tries for the Bulls as they claimed a bonus point. For the Lions, Henco van Wyk and Etienne Oosthuizen both crossed the whitewash.

The win, however, came at a heavy price for the Bulls – and potentially the Springboks as well – with injuries to key players again. There are real concerns over captain and lock Ruan Nortje, as well as loose forward Elrigh Louw. Louw was rushed to hospital, and the prognosis is still unclear at this stage. Flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain also picked up an injury, but it is thought not to be as serious as that of Johan Goosen.

Scorers:

Lions: Tries – Henco van Wyk, Etienne Oosthuizen. Penalties – Sam Francis (4).

Bulls: Tries – David Kriel, Cobus Wiese, Marcell Coetzee, Akker van der Merwe. Conversions – Boeta Chamberlain, David Kriel (2). Penalties – Chamberlain (2), Kriel.

Makazole Mapimpi. Photo: BCC

Over in Cardiff, the Sharks returned to winning ways with a convincing 44-22 victory against Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park. The Sharks ran in six tries as they claimed a bonus-point win against the Welsh outfit.

Bethlehem-born Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi scored a brace of tries, while Makazole Mapimpi, Francois Venter, Jurenzo Julius, and Yaw Penxe also crossed the whitewash. Additionally, Springbok Jordan Hendrikse, who started at fullback, converted all six tries.

Tom Bowen scored a brace of tries for Cardiff, while Alex Mann and Gabriel Hamer-Webb also dotted down. The win has moved the Sharks up to fourth on the log and one point shy of the third-placed Bulls.

Scorers:

Cardiff: Tries – Alex Mann, Tom Bowen (2), Gabriel Hamer-Webb. Conversion – Calum Sheedy.

Sharks: Tries – Jurenzo Julius, Makazole Mapimpi, Bongi Mbonambi (2), Francois Venter, Yaw Penxe. Conversions – Jordan Hendrikse (6).

Manie Libbok. Photo: Citizen

Meanwhile, over in Dublin, the Irish giants Leinster further added to the woes of the Stormers as they handed the visitors from Cape Town their fifth defeat of the campaign.

Leinster ran in five tries for a convincing 36-12 bonus-point win to retain their 100% record for the campaign with ten wins in ten outings.

Dan Sheehan and Andrew Osborne each scored a brace of tries for the Irish team, while the All Blacks great Jordie Barrett also crossed the whitewash. Ross Byrne added a further eleven points from the boot with four conversions and one penalty.

For the Stormers, their English player Ben Loader, as well as Springbok back-rower Evan Roos, scored tries.

This defeat came at a heavy price for the Stormers, who have endured injury after injury to key players this season. Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok appears to be joining that list after leaving the field before half-time with a knee injury.

Scorers:

Leinster: Tries – Andrew Osborne (2), Dan Sheehan (2), Jordie Barrett. Conversions – Ross Byrne (4). Penalty – Byrne.

Stormers: Tries – Ben Loader, Evan Roos. Conversion – Libbok.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg