Teams wellprepared for Currie Cup glory

Domestic competition goes down to the wire as teams chase priceless log points in final round

It will be a fight to the death when the leading teams grapple for Currie Cup Premier Division semifinal berths in high-stake showdowns scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

One of the biggest battles will see Griquas taking on the Pumas in Kimberley on Friday where the winners will book a spot in the play-offs to face either the Sharks or Free State Cheetahs. In Saturday’s clashes, the Blue Bulls face the Cheetahs at Loftus and Western Province host the table-topping Sharks in Cape Town.

“Griquas have an unbelievable pack of forwards, with captain Hanru Sirgel leading from the front, and if you look at the backline, they have quality across the board,” Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse said, “You can’t ask for more. “Griquas have an attacking flyhalf, two massive centres and wings in Rosko Specman and Luther Obi who can run you ragged.

“George Whitehead doesn’t miss his kicks at goal and his tactical kicking is outstanding.

“They will come with everything to get revenge for last year’s final loss and to make it into the play-offs.

“They are a never-say-die team, the same as us. They struggled against WP in the scrums, but still fought for the win.”

Sharks coach Joey Mongalo said his team’s hard-fought win over the Lions was good preparation for the play-offs.

“It doesn’t get tougher than being 14-nil down against a Lions team desperate to stay alive in the competition.

“That was the best practice, and I say that respectfully, that we could have had for a semifinal.

“It’s all about keeping momentum and holding on. We understand how the group needs that as a stepping stone to the play-off on June 17.

“But a semifinal is not in our mind’s eye. We know that we have a job to do in Cape Town on Saturday and WP will be desperate to get five points to give themselves a chance of making the play-offs.”

If the Lions win by a big margin 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 advance to the playoffs.

Lions head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi, however, has resigned himself to missing the semis after losing to the Sharks.

“I’m gutted that we have not made the play-offs,” he said.

“The play-offs was a prerequisite for the franchise so I’m truly disappointed with the end result of the game.

“I am grateful to the guys who put their bodies on the line for the better part of 14 weeks.

“Now we have to fight for the highest possible finish in the Currie Cup.

“Our discipline let us down a little bit against the Sharks, as well as our execution.”

Bulls loose forward Marcell Coetzee says his team will be fired up for their clash against the high-riding Cheetahs at Loftus.

“The guys deserve a mention for the last few weeks,” he said.

“Our position in the standings was in turmoil and we looked each other in the eye and spoke loudly about it.

“The team showed great character in the tough away games against the Griquas, Pumas and the Lions.

“Everyone here is proud to wear the jersey and we are going 110% to win the Currie Cup.

“I think we’ve moved back to our strengths. We play for each other, rely on our solid facets and the enjoyment factor is also back. That said, we haven’t won anything yet.”

Fixtures:

● Friday: Griffons v Lions, Griquas v Pumas

● Saturday: Blue Bulls v Cheetahs, Western Province v Sharks

● Log (13 matches): Sharks 48, Cheetahs 46, Pumas 36, Bulls 36, Griquas 35, Western Province 32, Lions 31, Griffons 10