Platinum Stars hit the woodwork twice in a goalless South African Premiership stalemate with leaders Kaizer Chiefs Sunday that rarely matched its top-of-the-table billing. A back heel from Namibia striker Henrico Botes came back off the post midway through the opening half and a close-range shot by defender Benson Mhlongo rebounded from the underside of the crossbar near half-time.

Central Cheetahs' joy at defeating fellow South African side Southern Kings 26-12 Saturday in the Super 15 was tempered by the failure to secure a bonus point. The surprise side this season in the southern hemisphere provincial championship scored three tries but a fourth, which would have earned an extra point and taken them top of the South African conference, proved elusive. It was not from lack of trying at Free State Stadium in this central city as substitute forwards Rynard Landman (twice) and Frans Viljoen got over the Kings line only to be held up.

A powerful opening burst laid the foundations for the Waikato Chiefs' 37-29 victory over the Coastal Sharks here Saturday in a re-run of last year's Super 15 final. The victory saw the Chiefs arrest a two-match losing streak and overtake the Auckland Blues at the head of the New Zealand conference while the injury-ravaged Sharks slumped to their third consecutive loss. Both sides took a four-try bonus point from the match, which was as much a reflection of fragile defensive systems as it was a testimony to their attacking intent.

South African Premiership result Friday: Maritzburg Utd 0 Moroka Swallows 1 (Mashego 45+1) afp