Weekend Wrap: Drama, upsets & World-Ranking shifts

The Rugby Championship burst to life with two blockbuster results this past weekend—and boy, did it deliver. Here’s your weekend wrap:

First up: Springboks flatline in Johannesburg

In a stunning turnaround, the Springboks coughed up a 22-0 lead and were steamrolled 38-22 by the Wallabies at Ellis Park. Australia’s comeback featured six unanswered tries, spearheaded by captain Harry Wilson and electric finishers like Tom Wright, Joseph Sua’ali’i, and Max Jorgensen. It was landmark stuff—Australia’s first win in Johannesburg since 1963, and a comeback for the ages. Coach Joe Schmidt didn’t just praise his team’s resilience—he savoured it. 

Wonderful Wallabies dazzle bruised & dazed Boks

Now the Wallabies are looking over their shoulder as they head to Cape Town, expecting a bruising response from a furious Bok setup. 

Rassie: Boks were really dog s**t

Meanwhile, in Córdoba: All Blacks reclaim the throne

New Zealand delivered a clinical 41-24 victory over Argentina to kick off their campaign. Samisoni Taukei’aho bagged two late tries to shore up the win and vault the All Blacks back to No. 1 in the world rankings—top spot they’d not held since 2021. The Pumas fought hard, but disciplinary lapses—even in the last quarter—handed momentum and points back to the All Blacks. 

Boland stun Bulls in Wellington, Cheetahs go top

The Carling Currie Cup Premier Division delivered a weekend of drama, upsets, and grit—headlined by the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers’ 28-20 triumph over the Vodacom Bulls in a fiery clash in Wellington.

Despite falling behind 20-14 and copping four yellow cards, Boland outmuscled the visitors to claim a third major scalp, adding the Bulls to the Cheetahs and Lions already beaten this season. Ashlon Davids kept the scoreboard ticking while Donavan Don, the tournament’s leading try-scorer, crossed again in a statement win for the underdogs.

In Kimberley, Suzuki Griquas notched a third home victory with a 26-17 win over the Sharks XV. Tries from Oosthuizen, Maart, and Hufke ensured the hosts stayed in the top four, as the Durbanites’ discipline again let them down.

The Fidelity ADT Lions edged the Airlink Pumas 36-35 in a thriller in Nelspruit. Renzo du Plessis bagged a brace and Lubabalo Dobela kept his cool off the tee to clinch the result. The Pumas claimed two bonus points but will rue missed chances at home.

In Bloemfontein, the Toyota Cheetahs survived a late surge from DHL Western Province to seal a 31-24 bonus-point win, despite finishing with 13 men. WP showed signs of life but remain winless.

With four rounds down, the Cheetahs top the table on 16 points, equal with Boland but ahead on points difference. Griquas and Lions sit close behind on 15, with the Pumas, Bulls, WP, and Sharks trailing.

Next up: Pumas host Boland on Friday, while WP and the Sharks XV face off in a basement battle. Saturday sees the Lions visit the Cheetahs, and Sunday’s clash in Pretoria pits the Bulls against Griquas in what’s shaping up to be a make-or-break encounter.