Most things rugby will be focused on the Springboks’ clash with the All Blacks at Ellis Park this weekend, but of equal importance to many will be the penultimate round of league fixtures in this year’s Currie Cup competition.
And what a weekend of rugby awaits. With the only two sides out of the mix in the race for the semi-finals, Griquas and the EP Kings, playing each other, there is everything at stake for the other six sides. What happens in Kimberley on Saturday will have no bearing on the log, with Griquas on 11 points and the EP Kings on one, and out of the running for a place in the play-offs.
But in the race for semi-final spots, and the top two places, there’s plenty to gain and lose, with the Bulls – sixth on 18 points – still in the mix after a win against the Cheetahs. It was a win-or-bust assignment for Frans Ludeke’s men in Bloemfontein and while they left it late, and also failed to pick up the bonus point, the men from Pretoria got the job done and still have an outside chance of finishing in the top four after next weekend’s matches.
But they will continue to have to win their remaining games, with a visit to Nelspruit for a date with the Pumas their next assignment. It’s a huge game for the Bulls as the Pumas also still have a chance of making the play-offs, despite their going down to Western Province at the weekend. Jimmy Stonehouse’s men are currently fourth with 19 points, but another defeat could well see them slip out of the picture after the weekend.
The Cheetahs, also on 19, host Western Province this weekend and will desperate to hit back after capitulating against the Bulls. They, too, will put themselves under enormous pressure on the last weekend if they fail to get up and win this week.
Rory Duncan’s men will believe they can beat anyone at home, but the Capetonians have been a class apart this season and with their victory in Nelspruit last Friday maintained their four-point lead atop the standings. Allister Coetzee’s side will know any slip-ups now will open the door for the Lions to take first place. Hot on the heels of WP are the Lions. They demolished Griquas in Kimberley, but face a completely different test this weekend in Durban. The Sharks, comfortable winners over the Kings, will also believe they can finish inside the top two; they’re just five points behind the Lions and a win this week and a strong final round outing could see them into the top tier.
The Durban clash is without question the biggie of the weekend – a Lions win will guarantee them a home playoff; a defeat will leave them having to beat the Cheetahs with a bonus point against the Cheetahs next week to bank a home semi-final. Of course, that could all change if the Cheetahs stop Province in Bloemfontein on Saturday. - The Star