The Sharks and Free State Cheetahs secured home-ground advantage for the Currie Cup semi-finals, while the Vodacom Bulls and Griquas bolstered their playoff bids in the penultimate round of the competition.
The Sharks beat the Lions 29-21 on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of the log. Joey Mongalo’s charges are two points clear of the Cheetahs in the standings, and one win away from earning the right to host a potential final.
Earlier, the Cheetahs proved too strong for the Pumas with a 29-14 victory in Nelspruit. The Free Staters have moved 10 points clear of their rivals on the table and no matter what happens in the final round this week, they will not be caught by the chasing pack.
HIGHLIGHTS: Sharks, Cheetahs clinch top spots
Indeed, the Pumas will do well to qualify for the playoffs from here. While Jimmy Stonehouse’s defending champions currently sit in third position, but only five points separate them and the team ranked seventh on the log – namely the Lions.
The Bulls continued their incredible run when they put 10 tries past the Griffons on Friday – with David Kriel scoring a hat-trick. The bonus-point 64-33 win – as well as the improved points’ difference – sees the men from Pretoria moving up to fourth place.
And, Griquas claimed yet another win against Western Province, a 38-29 comeback victory at Griqua Park, and improved their own chances of advancing to the playoffs. They currently sit in fifth place – just a single log point behind the Vodacom Bulls.
HIGHLIGHTS: Griquas humble WP, Bulls blitz Griffons
While WP will lament the loss in Kimberley, they did manage to secure a bonus point for scoring four tries. The upshot is that the Capetonians are three log points behind Griquas, and four points behind the Bulls. If they win their final match and other results go their way, they may sneak into the playoffs.
The Lions failed to pick up a bonus point in the loss to the Sharks. If they win big in their final game against the Griffons, and if some of the other teams who are yet to qualify lose their respective matches, they could also potentially advance to the knockout rounds.
Looking ahead to round 14, the Griffons host the Lions on Friday in Welkom (2pm), while Griquas and Pumas clash at Griqua Park (3pm). In the remaining fixtures of the weekend, the Bulls and Cheetahs will face off in Pretoria (3pm), with WP and the Sharks set to lock horns at DHL Stadium on Saturday (5.05pm).
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