The two sides from Gauteng won their matches in Llanelli and Cardiff, with the Bulls moving to the top of the table in the process, while the Lions put three close defeats behind them with their first victory of the season.

However, the coastal sides struggled in Italy. The Stormers went down to Benetton – the only unbeaten side left in the competition after four rounds of action – in Treviso, while the Sharks are still winless this season after they lost in Parma as Zebre recorded their first URC win in 18 months.

All four games involving the South African teams were decided by margins of six points or fewer.

After four rounds, the Bulls top the standings with 15 points (the same as Leinster and Glasgow Warriors), the Stormers dropped to eighth on 11 points, the Lions moved up two spots to 12th with eight points, and the Sharks are still in last position with one point.

Composed Bulls on top in Cardiff

The Bulls started like a house on fire in their United Rugby Championship clash against Cardiff in the Welsh capital, and were then made to work very hard defensively to ultimately record a deserved 18-12 victory on Friday.

The visitors from Pretoria scored two early tries – by Embrose Papier and Sebastian de Klerk – to take a 12-0 lead after 15 minutes, but the determination to grind out the win on the artificial turf in Cardiff would have made their supporters even happier.

There were times later in the match where the Bulls were on the backfoot, and while the hard-fought victory and four log points may still be very valuable as the season progresses, it would also have meant a lot for their self-belief and confidence as their early-season tour wraps up next weekend in Scotland.

Scorers:

Cardiff: Tries: Mason Grady, Ray Lee-Lo. Conversion: Tinus de Beer.

Bulls: Tries - Embrose Papier, Sebastian de Klerk Conversion: Chris Smith Penalties - Smith (2).

Sharks stay winless after shock defeat in Parma

What was supposed to be the match that started their fightback after three defeats turned into a nightmare for the Sharks as they were beaten 12-10 by Zebre Parma in the fourth round of the United Rugby Championship on Friday.

It was the Italians’ first win in 29 games dating back to April 2022, only a week after they took 50 points from the Bulls.

The visitors from Durban not only lost the aerial battle, but they also failed to capitalise on their opportunities, and they let themselves down on a number of occasions with unforced errors.

However, their woeful discipline – the Sharks conceded 15 penalties to the four from the hosts – was the biggest issue. Zebre goaled four of their penalties while the Sharks scored the only try of the match.

Scorers:

Zebre: Penalties - Geronimo Prisciantelli (3), Jacopo Trulla.

Sharks: Try - Cameron Wright Conversion - Boeta Chamberlain Penalty - Chamberlain.

Lions break season duck in Llanelli

The Lions delivered a late blow to overhaul Scarlets on the scoreboard and record their first win of the United Rugby Championship season when they won by 24-23 in Llanelli on Saturday.

The visitors – who scored three tries to two by the hosts – added 10 points in the last seven minutes courtesy of a penalty goal by Sanele Nohamba before he converted Henco van Wyk’s try with three minutes left on the clock.

No long before the Lions last charge, Scarlets increased their lead from 16-14 to nine points with their second try with 10 minutes left in the match, but the Lions knuckled down and did what was needed for their first win after three close defeats in the last month.

Scorers:

Scarlets: Tries - Tom Rogers, Ryan Elias Conversions - Ioan Lloyd (2) Penalties - Lloyd (3).

Lions: Tries - Marius Louw, PJ Botha, Henco van Wyk Conversions - Sanele Nohamba (3) Penalty - Nohamba.

Benetton outlast Stormers in Treviso

Italian side Benetton kept their unbeaten record at the start of the United Rugby Championship season intact with a 20-17 victory over the Stormers in Treviso on Saturday.

It was a very even contest in which the Capetonians’ discipline, game management and goal kicking could have been better. With scores tied at 10-10 at the end of the first half, a superb drop-goal from 50 metres out by Rhyno Smith gave the hosts a three-point lead at the break.

Six minutes into the second half, the Stormers went ahead for the first time with a try by Courtnall Skosan, but they failed to keep the hosts out and a try by Alessandro Izekor with 25 minutes to go handed the lead back to Benetton, who hung on for the win.

Scorers:

Benetton: Tries - Marco Zanon, Alessandro Izekor Conversions - Tomas Albornoz, Jacob Umaga Penalty - Albornoz Drop goal - Rhyno Smith.

Stormers: Tries - Warrick Gelant, Scarra Ntubeni, Courtnall Skosan Conversion - Jean-Luc du Plessis.

Other results:

Ulster 21 Munster 14

Ospreys 23 Glasgow Warriors 31

Edinburgh 25 Connacht 22

Dragons 10 Leinster 33