South African teams blitz Aussies as resting Hurricanes stay top

South African teams rejoiced this weekend with three convincing wins over Australian opposition as New Zealand’s Wellington Hurricanes preserved a six-point lead at the top of Super Rugby.

The Hurricanes and Waikato Chiefs had the weekend off with byes as did Australia's Melbourne Rebels with only South Africa's Northern Bulls closing some of the gap with a win.

Australia’s top two contenders, the ACT Brumbies and defending champions New South Wales Waratahs, both went down with the Waratahs to face the Hurricanes in Wellington next weekend.

The Bulls overcame the Queensland Reds 43-22 in Pretoria to go third in the overall standings and complete a super Saturday for South African sides against Australian opponents.

The Bulls' triumph followed wins for Western Stormers over the Waratahs in Sydney and Central Cheetahs over Western Force in Perth.

The Brumbies missed their chance to close in on the Hurricanes in a 16-14 loss to the Blues in Auckland, while the Stormers had a strong 32-18 win over the Waratahs.

The improving Otago Highlanders stunned the Canterbury Crusaders, coming from behind to take their New Zealand derby 25-20 in Christchurch to sit fifth overall.