Griquas should cement their place at the top of the Currie Cup Qualifier log when they face the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Griquas are five points ahead of the third-placed Pumas and six points ahead of the fourth-placed Boland Cavaliers, the three front-runners to qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division, which starts in April. The Pumas have a bye this weekend, while Boland will face a stern challenge when they take on the Blue Bulls in Pretoria.
The result between Western Province, who are in second place, and SWD Eagles, has no significance on whether Griquas, the Pumas or Boland will qualify for the Premier Division, as the Cape side, along with the five other unions involved in Super Rugby, have automatic qualification for the Premier Division.
The rest of the unions are fighting for the remaining three spots available. With only four rounds left in the Qualifier, the possibility of either Griquas, Pumas or Boland missing out are rather slim with the Griffons 10 points adrift of the Cavaliers in sixth place and the SWD Eagles a further four points behind in ninth place.
The Griffons take on the Golden Lions XV at Ellis Park on Saturday, which is set to be an entertaining encounter after the Griffons beat the Free State XV 49-33 last weekend, while the Lions XV smashed the Leopards 64-28 in Potchefstroom.
Elsewhere this weekend, the Sharks XV host the Leopards in Durban, the Free State XV welcome the Valke to Bloemfontein and Border take on the hapless Welwitschias in Windhoek.
Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images
