The Carling Currie Cup is heating up, and this past weekend brought clarity – and drama – to the playoff picture. The Suzuki Griquas, often seen as underdogs, sent shockwaves through the competition with a commanding 40-10 rout of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. Traveling just 180km from Kimberley for their Central Union derby, the Griquas arrived unfancied but dominated from the outset, climbing to the top of the log in the process. Their final-round clash against a resurgent ADT Fidelity Lions side promises fireworks.
While the Cheetahs could only celebrate a late consolation try, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV showed their own growth with a thrilling 33-31 victory over Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in Pietermaritzburg. Once ridiculed after a heavy loss to the Bulls earlier in the season, Nick Hatton’s young Sharks outfit have now won back-to-back games, proving their development trajectory is on track. Flyhalf Jean Smith was particularly impressive, slotting all his team’s points before Siya Masuku sealed the win with a late penalty in front of an electrified Woodburn Stadium crowd.
Elsewhere, the Lions crushed the Bulls 44-5, celebrating as though their season depends on a trophy. For Bulls, Province, and Sharks, however, the Currie Cup is increasingly a development platform alongside their URC campaigns. The Airlink Pumas, meanwhile, staged a strong second-half surge to beat DHL Western Province 39-13 in Cape Town, keeping their semifinal hopes alive.
Heading into the final round, five teams remain in contention. The Griquas lead the log on 25 points, followed closely by Boland (23), Lions (21), Cheetahs (21), and Pumas (20). With just one weekend left before the playoffs, every point matters – and fans can expect another round of intense, season-defining rugby.
My Goat Sports 