Looking ahead to the weekend's Currie Cup First Division action

All eyes will be on the Carling Currie Cup First Division this weekend where the Leopards, Boland Kavaliers and Valke will try to close the gap on the Down Touch Griffons at the top of the standings.

SA Rugby confirmed on Thursday that the Premier Division match between the Sigma Lions and Toyota Cheetahs, scheduled for Johannesburg on Saturday, had been cancelled due to the unrest situation on Gauteng. The result and log points will be determined at a later stage.

The action is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, 21 July when Sigma Lions host Tafel Lager Griquas in Johannesburg, and the Toyota Cheetahs take on DHL Western Province in Bloemfontein.

First Division

Two matches in the Carling Currie Cup First Division will have a big influence on the standings as the Down Touch Griffons look to consolidate their position at the top of the log, while the chasing pack of teams will be eager to close the gap.

The clash in Brakpan on Friday afternoon will be vital for the Valke and Boland Kavaliers as defeat will mean they will drop down the pecking order, with the playoffs looming.

Boland will travel to the East Rand high on confidence after their win over SWD last weekend, while the Valke will want to bounce back after a heavy defeat in Welkom.

Later on Friday, the SWD Eagles host the Border Bulldogs, fresh of a good victory over Eastern Province last weekend, while the team from Outeniqua Park are still looking for their maiden win of the season.

The final match of the weekend is on Saturday afternoon in Potchefstroom, where the Leopards will look to hand the Down Touch Griffons their first defeat of the season, while at the same time closing the gap at the top of the standings.

These two sides are currently first and second on the log and will have their eyes on home-ground advantage in the playoffs, with the final less than a month away.

Match information:

Valke v Boland Kavaliers

Date: Friday, 16 July

Venue: Bosman Stadium, Brakpan

Kick-off: 13h30

Referee: Paul Mente

SWD Eagles v Border Bulldogs

Date: Friday, 16 July

Venue: Outeniqua Park, George

Kick-off: 15h00

Referee: Morne Ferreira

Leopards v Down Touch Griffons

Date: Saturday, 17 July

Venue: Olën Park, Potchefstroom

Kick-off: 15h00

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys