The Currie Cup is currently only in the early stages of the season, but after six rounds of action, there are some interesting statistics emerging from the tournament.

Current champions, the Free State Cheetahs are well on their way to yet another title defence, and are sitting pretty on top of the points table with a total of 19 points.

They are one point ahead of the Blue Bulls, who look like serious challengers once again this year. The Bulls also have a game in hand.

In third place follows the Sharks, who stayed in the semifinal berths with a tight victory over the resurgent Lions, who are currently in fifth spot.

Fourth place belongs to Western Province after a welcome win over Boland Cavaliers.

The sixth-placed Falcons have been the surprise package this season, scoring a massive upset win over WP in Brakpan two weeks ago.

Griquas and Boland bring up the rear, with only one win apiece.

The surprise leader among the points scorers is Lions fullback Earl Rose, who is miles in the lead with 94 points after only six matches. That gives Rose a fantastic average of over 15 points per game at this stage of the season.

Province pivot Willem de Waal, last year's top points scorer, is in second place on 67 points.

Rose also tops the try-scoring list with four tries. Sharks loose forward Jacques Botes is joint-leader with Rose, having scored four tries himself thus far.

It will be most interesting to see whether the Lions, and more specifically Rose can continue his purple patch.

Currie Cup top points-scorers: 94 - Earl Rose (Lions)
67 - Willem de Waal (Western Province)
58 - Chris Rossouw (Vodacom Cheetahs)
52 - Morné Steyn (Blue Bulls)
35 - Conrad Barnard (Griquas)

Currie Cup top try-scorers:
4 - Jacques Botes (Sharks), Earl Rose (Lions)
3 - John Daniels (Boland Cavaliers), John Mametsa (Blue Bulls), Wynand Olivier (Blue Bulls), Wylie Human (Western Province), Keegan Daniel (Sharks)

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