Currie Cup Final Round Preview
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The Currie Cup regular season draws to a close this weekend, with the final round of matches before the semi-finals.
Some sides will be bolstered by the return of 13 Springboks, who have been released for Currie Cup duty.
Let’s take a look at the matchups.
The Pumas entertain the Lions in Nelspruit on Friday evening, with anything short of a bonus point victory insufficient if they are to keep their slim hopes of a semi-final berth alive.
They have won just two of their five matches so far to lie fifth in the standings, but their last result was a positive one, running out 42-14 winners over the lowly Cheetahs.
The Lions have won three of their five matches to currently lie fourth in the table, with a victory assuring themselves a spot in the semi-finals.
The Lions will welcome the return of Springboks Elton Jantjies and Lionel Mapoe to their starting line-up and will start the match as firm favourites.
They will look to avoid a third successive defeat, after losses to the Sharks and Western Province in their last two games respectively.
Griquas v Sharks
Griquas host the Sharks in their final game of the season, with nothing but pride to play for. The Griquas have suffered four defeats in five games to lie second from bottom in the standings but will look to finish their campaign on a high with an upset over their more fancied opponents.
The Sharks came flying out the blocks to win their opening four matches, before being brought back down to earth with a 50-28 defeat to unbeaten Western Province in the previous round. The loss means the Sharks need a bonus point win and help from the Bulls, who face Western Province, if they are to try to sneak into the number one position on the log.
The Currie Cups two most successful sides clash in the north-south derby to bring the curtain down on the regular season, as the Bulls welcome undefeated and defending champions Western Province to Loftus Versfeld.
The Bulls have recorded three wins from five games, with a victory needed and an upset from Griquas over the Sharks if they are to snatch a home semi-final, an unlikely scenario.
The Springbok quartet of Trevor Nyakane, Maco van Staden, Ivan van Zyl and Embrose Papier return to their matchday squad.
Western Province has flown through the competition, winning all five of their matches to sit top of the table and will know exactly what they need to do to secure top spot when the match kicks off, with a losing bonus point likely all that is required to guarantee home field advantage in the semi-finals and final should they reach it.
They will however look to continue the momentum and make it six straight wins heading into the play-offs and will be buoyed by the return of Springboks Wilco Louw, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Damian Willemse and Ruhan Nel to their side.
See all the lineups, kick off times, broadcast channels and more HERE
