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Sharks can further strengthen their hold
Last week provided a smattering of upset results that added interest to the battle for Absa Currie Cup semifinal places, but it had no impact on the team in top spot.
Two weeks ago, before they played Western Province, the Sharks were trailing in second position. Now they are seven points clear, and a win over the Blue Bulls at Loftus on Saturday night will put them too far ahead of last year’s champions for them to be overhauled by the Pretoria team.
WP, by contrast, are in danger of dropping back into the chasing pack if they experience a third successive slip-up in their match against the Lions in Johannesburg on Friday night. Province whitewashed these opponents in the first round at Newlands, but the Lions have improved significantly since then and should feel more settled now that John Mitchell’s future with them has been confirmed.
WP will start as favourites, but then they also started as favourites against the Cheetahs. It goes without saying that a win is imperative if WP want to maintain a challenge for top position on the log, as the Sharks do have a good record in this competition at Loftus.
It is indeed an exciting weekend of Currie Cup rugby that lies in front of us as the Central Union derby in Kimberley is also going to have a significant impact on the log. The Cheetahs showed good form in Cape Town last week and on that evidence they can qualify for a home semifinal, but a hiccup against Griquas will leave them in danger of dropping out of the top four.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
FRIDAY
GWK Griquas v Vodacom Cheetahs Kimberley 5pm
Prediction: Cheetahs to scrape it.
Platinum Leopards v Barloworld Toyota Pumas Potchefstroom 7pm
Prediction: Pumas to win.
Xerox Lions v Vodacom Western Province Johannesburg 7.10pm
Prediction: WP by 5 to 15.
SATURDAY
Vodacom Blue Bulls v The Sharks Pretoria 7.15pm
Prediction: Sharks by 5 to 15.
