The Vodacom Bulls will be out to make a statement at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday when they welcome a wounded Sharks side in a headline Currie Cup round 2 clash.
Fresh from a composed win over Western Province in Cape Town, the Bulls return to Pretoria with their tails up. But standing in their way is a Sharks team desperate to respond after an embarrassing 41-point defeat to the Lions.
The Bulls and Sharks share no shortage of Currie Cup history, and their recent meetings have provided fireworks – none more so than last year’s thrilling semi-final, which ended 40-40 after extra time.
This time, though, the Bulls appear to be in much stronger shape. They delivered a structured, physically dominant display in their opening match and will look to maintain momentum with a strong performance in front of their Loftus faithful.
Meanwhile, the Sharks need to turn things around quickly if they are to avoid back-to-back hammerings in the opening fortnight of the competition.
Unbeaten starts on the line.
Loftus Versfeld and Ellis Park in Saturday’s spotlight.
Who keeps the momentum in Carling #CurrieCup round two?#WhereChampionsRise | #PremierRugbyRealPassion pic.twitter.com/ZmIVvqy7av
— The Carling Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) July 30, 2025
Round 2’s action kicks off in Bloemfontein on Friday night, where Frans Steyn’s Cheetahs will be eager to correct the wrongs of their shock last-minute loss to the Boland Kavaliers in Wellington.
They face a confident Pumas side that comfortably beat Griquas last week and sit third on the log after one round.
The Cheetahs have won three of their last four Currie Cup meetings against the Pumas, including last year’s final, but coach Jimmy Stonehouse’s charges will draw confidence from their SA Cup success earlier this year when they beat the Free Staters twice, including a 12-point victory in March.
The Lions will look to pick up where they left off when they host Western Province in what could be a fiery battle.
DUVENAGE: WP will ‘bounce back’
The Lions were clinical last week, smashing the Sharks 44-3, and will be full of belief as they host a Province side that struggled to fire against the Bulls in their opener.
The Johannesburg outfit have also had the upper hand in this fixture of late, winning their last two encounters with WP, both home and away. The Capetonians haven’t beaten the Lions since March 2023.
Sunday’s match in Kimberley pits Griquas against a buoyant Boland side riding high after last weekend’s dramatic upset over the Cheetahs.
Traditionally, Griquas have dominated this fixture, with recent SA Cup wins adding to their confidence. But Boland coach Hawies Fourie believes his side is turning a corner.
“We showed heart and composure last week,” said Fourie.
“That kind of fight is what we’ll need again in Kimberley.”
Friday, 2 August
Cheetahs vs Pumas – 7pm, Bloemfontein
Saturday, 3 August
Lions vs Western Province – 3pm, Johannesburg
Bulls vs Sharks XV – 5.10pm, Pretoria
Sunday, 4 August
Griquas vs Boland Kavaliers – 3pm, Kimberley
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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