With four rounds of league action remaining, SA Cup front-runners Griquas and the Pumas will target their next matches to put distance themselves from their rivals.
The teams from the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga each have 25 points from winning their five games, with the men from Kimberley sitting in top spot thanks to a better points difference.
Griquas will have the early advantage for this round when they are in action on Friday afternoon already against Eastern Province in Uitenhage, while the second-placed Pumas host the Leopards in Nelspruit on Saturday.
A further two games are scheduled for Saturday: the SWD Eagles host the Cheetahs in George, and the Boland Kavaliers take on Border Bulldogs in Wellington.
The last encounter of the weekend, on Sunday afternoon in Welkom between the Griffons and the Valke, will wrap up the sixth-round action, with the SA Cup final – between the top two sides on the log on Saturday, 25 May – moving into view for the participating teams.
On current form, the Griquas are firm favourites to continue their unbeanen streak when they travel down to the Eastern Cape to face Eastern Province in Uitenhage. However, EP is a very difficult outfit at home and the side from Kimberley will definitely not have it all their own way.
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Last week, EP showed great fighting spirit in going down to the Leopards in Potchefstroom and with nothing but pride at stake for them, the Eastern Cape side will be hoping to make a good impression against the team coached by Pieter Bergh.
Griquas also showed great resilience in taming a spirited Boland side in Wellington last week, and the Northern Cape outfit would want to ensure they keep their unbeaten status.
The Cheetahs ended on the losing side in a thrilling Free State derby against the Griffons in Welkom last weekend, and the men from Bloemfontein will be targeting an immediate response against SWD in George on Saturday. However, Zane Kirchner’s Eagles are equally determined to offer the Free Staters a stern test at picturesque Outeniqua Park.
The Pumas will also want to retain their unblemished record against the Leopards, currently in sixth place, and another good result would see Jimmy Stonehouse’s men stay in the hunt for hosting the final.
In Saturday’s third fixture, the Kavaliers are taking the field against last-placed Border Bulldogs in Wellington, with the Bolanders on a mission to get back on the winning trail after faltering against Griquas, and to close the five-point gap between them and the fourth-placed Cheetahs.
Following their thrilling Free State derby win over the Cheetahs last week at home, the Griffons now have a fifth victory firmly in their sight when they entertain ninth-placed Valke in Welkom on Sunday.
The Northern Free Staters are only five points off the pace and victory against their guests from the East Rand will ensure they keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the final.
SA Cup fixtures
Friday, 26 April
Eastern Province vs Griquas, Central Field, Kariega, Uitenhage, 3pm
Saturday, 27 April
SWD Eagles vs Cheetahs, Outeniqua Park, George, 3pm
Boland Kavaliers vs Border Bulldogs, Boland Stadium, Wellington, 3pm
Pumas vs Leopards, Nelspruit Rugby Club, Nelspruit, 3pm
Sunday, 28 April
Griffons vs Valke, Down Touch Investment Stadium, Welkom, 3pm
Photo: @TheCurrieCup/Twitter
