Currie Cup Permutations

The Currie Cup enters the final round robin stage this weekend with a few Semi-final spots still up for grabs.

This year's edition of the competition has been particularly close with only one - The Griquas - side well and truly out of contention for a semifinal spot. 

The first game of the weekend, Friday, sees the Bulls face off against the Pumas. The Bulls have a better chance of sneaking into the semi-finals if they beat the Pumas and the Sharks or Cheetahs do them a favour.

If the Bulls get a full house of points (4 + try bonus point) they will go to 32 points and move up to 3rd above the Cheetahs and Lions.

Altough the Bulls have a better chance in this one, the winner of this match could sneak into the semifinals but will have to wait for the last game on Saturday to learn their fate in the competition.

Saturday's first game sees a top of the table clash between the Sharks and Western Province. 

A win for Western Province would secure a home semi-final against, while the Sharks have sealed top spot and will be looking to win their 9th game in a row.

Depending on the scoreline Province could miss out on the playoffs altogether, but it is highly unlikely due to their superior points difference over the other sides below them.  

The last game of the weekend will basically be a quarter-final for the Lions and Cheetahs. The winner of this game will join the Sharks in the semi-final and dependant on the result of the Sharks vs Western Province game may even be a home semi final. 

The defending champions Cheetahs have brought in all their players from the Pro 14 and have stated that they will field their best possible side, while the Lions have been bolstered by the return of Springboks Courtnall Skosan, Ross Cronje, Malcolm Marx and Andries Coetzee. 

The Standings