A strong second-half display saw the Blue Bulls beat the Sharks XV 22-18 in Pretoria, while the SWD Eagles also won their Currie Cup Qualifier on Friday.

The Bulls were made to work hard for their victory, but wing Kefentse Mahlo and centre Marquit September both scored a brace to ensure they came away with maximum log points.

September's first try, sandwiched between two Sharks penalties, gave the Bulls a 7-6 lead. The Sharks, however, responded with a well-worked 26th-minute try by Morné Joubert to take an 11-7 lead into the break.

The visitors’ late first-half dominance continued into the second half, with S’bura Sithole touching down for a converted effort. But that would be the Sharks’ last success, as the Bulls ran in three unanswered tries to turn the game in their favour.

In the only other match on Friday, the SWD Eagles beat the Border Bullsdogs 22-5 in George.

Blue Bulls (22) – Tries: Marquit September (2), Kefentse Mahlo (2). Conversion: Kurt Webster.
Sharks XV (18)  – Tries: Morné Joubert, Sibusiso Sithole. Conversion: Duncan Campbell. Penalties: Marcel Coetzee (2).

SWD Eagles (22) – TBC
Border Bullsdogs (5) – TBC

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images