There were wins for the Sharks and the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship on the weekend, while the two Highveld teams fell short.

On Friday night the Bulls were brought back down to earth by Leinster, with the log-leaders thumping the Pretoria-based franchise by 47-14 in Dublin.

On Saturday afternoon, Aphelele Fassi, Lukhanyo Am and Phepshi Buthelezi all scored tries and the Sharks beat Edinburgh 23-13 at Kings' Park in Durban.

The former Cheetahs flyhalf, Siya Masuku, landed one conversion and two penalties for the Sharks.

The only try for Edinburgh was scored by the former Cheetahs prop, Boan Venter, while Ben Healy landed a conversion and two penalties as well.

Over at the Cape Town Stadium, the Stormers managed to secure a victory, but they were made to sweat by the Northern Irish team Ulster.

Ulster opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a converted Nick Timoney try to take them to 7-0 lead at half time.

The Springbok, Manie Libbok, got the Stormers on the board with a 54th minute penalty. A full 20 minutes later, another Springbok, Evan Roos, went over for a try to put the team from the Mother City in the lead for the first time.

On the stroke of full time, Libbok slotted a second penalty to seal the win for the Stormers.

In Swansea, the Ospreys recorded a bonus point win against the Lions by claiming a 36-21 victory. The Ospreys led 15-7 at half time with the former Cheetahs prop, Tom Botha, as well as Sam Parry scoring a try. A converted PJ Botha try got the Lions on the board.

Further tries by Morgan Morris and Lewis Lloyd saw the Ospreys extend their lead, while the Lions struck back through tries by Quan Horn and Richard Kriel.

Keiran Williams scored the Ospreys fifth try on the stroke of full time to add insult to injury.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport