Four teams, including the Cheetahs, are still in the running for the final two semi-final spots heading into the last round of the SA Cup.
Griquas have secured top spot on the log, while the Pumas can’t drop out of the top four.
The top four teams on the log will contest next weekend’s semi-finals – with the teams finishing first and second enjoying home-ground advantage – and also qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division.
The final round kicks off on Friday evening in Bloemfontein, where the Cheetahs host Griquas (6pm).
With just three points separating the third-placed Cheetahs from the Boland Cavaliers (fourth) and the SWD Eagles (fifth), this is a must-win encounter for the Free Staters. It will be a daunting task, though, with Griquas having won the last six official meetings between the two sides.
Friday’s second fixture sees the defending champion Pumas host the Griffons at Mbombela Stadium (7pm). The Mpumalanga outfit have lost only two of their eight matches this season and, with home-ground advantage, are favourites to secure hosting rights for the second semi-final next week.
The Pumas currently occupy second place on the log with 33 points – a sizeable 20-point cushion over the Welkom-based Griffons, in eighth.
Attention then shifts to Saturday’s three fixtures, with the clash between the Cavaliers and Eastern Province carrying significant implications. Boland travelled to Gqeberha last year needing a win to secure a top-four finish – and did just that.
This coming Saturday, they find themselves in a similar position, hosting EP in a match where victory, preferably with a bonus point, will see them cement their semi-final berth.
The Eagles are level on points with Boland (27) but sit fifth on the log due to an inferior points’ difference.
Having claimed five wins from their eight matches so far – compared to the Leopards’ single victory – momentum appears to be firmly with coach Heyneke Meyer’s Eagles, who will be hunting a bonus-point win against their opponents from North West at Outeniqua Park.
The Valke still have a mathematical chance of breaking into the top four, but the East Rand side will need a full five-point victory against Border and hope that results elsewhere go in their favour. That encounter will kick off at 3:30pm at Police Park in East London.
ALSO: English club to take Cheetahs’ URC spot?
SA Cup Round 9 fixtures
Friday, 8 May
Cheetahs vs Griquas (6pm)
Pumas vs Griffons (7pm)
Saturday, 9 May
SWD Eagles vs Leopards (3pm)
Boland Cavaliers vs Eastern Province (3pm)
Border Bulldogs vs Valke (3:30pm)
Photo: Valke/Black Lemon Productions
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Four teams, including the Cheetahs, are still in the running for the final two semi-final spots heading into the last round of the SA Cup.
The post SA Cup: Cheetahs face Currie Cup exclusion appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
