Currie Cup final round: Here are the permutations!

This coming weekend will see the Currie Cup enter its final round robin stage, with the tournament play offs well insight. 

Well… that would apply for some of the teams, of course with some unfortunately not in a position to prolong their Currie Cup season for 2021. 

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While some teams will be sweating for an opportunity to get into the play offs, teams like the Bulls and the Sharks will have a different challenge and pressure on their hands. Two sides will be battling it out to see who finishes top of the Currie Cup log, with Jake White’s side currently enjoying the honour of being on the summit. 

Bulls in the driving seat, Sharks looking for upset

The Bulls will know better than to rest on their laurels however, as they know that should they slip up against the Cheetahs, a bonus point win from the Sharks over the Western Province could see them relinquish their their number one spot and subsequently a guarantee of a home final should they make it that far.

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White has stuck to his usually recepie of infusing youth with experience into his Bulls side for the fixture at Loftus. A youthful back three of David Kriel, Madosh Tambwe and returning Sevens star Kurt-Lee Arendse is balanced out by an experienced centre pairing of former Springboks Cornal Hendrikse and Lionel Mapoe. Another experienced former Springbok in Jacques Goosen will then be tasked to dictate play from the flyhalf position. 

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The Bulls fans will be hoping those names will be able to hold off the challenge from the Cheetahs who are one of the two sides who cannot qualify for the play offs, together with the Lions who sit bottom of the table. The Sharks, who will know that there is a possibility of occupying top spot against a Western Province side that also still harbour a play off place while currently one place away.

Battle for Currie Cup play offs is on!

Western Province currently occupy fifth place on 30 points and will have the Pumas in 4th place firmly in their sights. Jimmy Stonehouse’s side are just two points ahead of John Dobson’s charges and will be wary of the threat behind them as they take on the challenge of the Griquas who are one place and a point ahead of them.

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It is then all delicately poised as a win for Western Province would likely see them get into the Currie Cup play offs while a loss for the Sharks wouldn’t change anything in terms of their play off hopes but, will most certainly end their pursuit of top spot. 

Fixtures and time

The first Currie Cup fixture will be between the Griquas and Pumas in Kimberly at 14:30 while the match between the Bulls and the Cheetahs will take place at 16: 45 while the clash between the Sharks and Western Province will bring down the curtain on the regular fixtures of the competition. 

Who will make the Currie Cup final four? And who will finish on top of the log? Feel free to comment below.