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With only three rounds of the Vodacom Cup remaining, only three sides from each of the two sections still have a realistic chance to win the title.

In the southern section of the competition where south section sides play those from the north section, log leaders Free State are a solitary point ahead of Western Province with the Kavaliers a further four adrift.

In the northern section, the Blue Bulls are on top, one point ahead of Griquas who lead the Lions by three.

Once again, the Free State Cheetahs looked a most impressive outfit as they beat a good Pumas side 34-20 in an excellent match at Witbank, with flyhalf Jannie Myburg kicking 19 points to add to his side's three tries.

The Pumas now have to win all three their remaining matches and hope the Blue Bulls, Griquas and Golden Lions slip up in their fixtures.

The Lions deservedly won their scrappy encounter against SWD Eagles 20-6 at Ellis Park where the rain cannot be blamed for all the basic mistakes. On this form, the Lions have little chance of taking the title.

The Leopards, who played well but didn't convert their chances and eventually lost to two late, long-range Western Province tries, are for all practical reasons out of it following WP's 28-18 win in Potchefstroom to retain their unbeaten record.

The Blue Bulls, log leaders of the northern section, can thank three drop goals from the boot of flyhalf Burton Francis for their 25-18 win over the Boland Kavaliers, who scored three tries to two in a tough match that saw the Bulls lose their captain Pietie Meyer — probably for the season — with a knee injury.

The defeat was a severe setback in the Kavaliers' challenge, and they still have two tough matches against Griquas and the Lions (both in Wellington) to negotiate.

Defending champions Griquas outplayed the winless Mighty Elephants 55-22 in Kimberley and looked impressive in running in seven tries. Riaan Viljoen scored 23 points, which included a try.

The win is out into perspective if it is considered that the Blue Bulls scraped through in the dying second against the Mighty Elephants last weekend, albeit it in Port Elizabeth.

The Wildebeest, after their two early defeats, must now win all three their remaining matches and hope for some favours from teams in the northern section to make the semis. They beat the Griffons 32-7 in Welkom on Friday.

Replacement wing Nicky Kritzinger scored two late tries to help the Valke defeat the Border Bulldogs 38-25 at Reiger Park in Boksburg on Saturday. The Valke scored five tries to record their first win in the Vodacom Cup competition with fullback Jacques Schutte converted all five and also kicking a penalty.

The Bulldogs remain winless in the southern section.

Sapa