With the semi-finals just around the corner, the battle for the top-four spots has reached fever pitch. Only two rounds of cross-section fixtures remain, and every match counts.
The Vodacom Bulls kept their unbeaten streak alive with a commanding performance in Pretoria, securing their spot at the top of the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division and inching closer to play-off qualification.
Meanwhile, the Fidelity ADT Lions mauled the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV showed their teeth in Cape Town, and the Airlink Pumas proved they’re still in the semi-final race.
With the semi-finals just around the corner, the battle for the top-four spots has reached fever pitch. Only two rounds of cross-section fixtures remain, and every match counts.
Only two rounds remain before the #CarlingCurrieCup semi-finals. Check out this weekend's results and how it played out on the log. 🤩 🏉#WhereChampionsRise pic.twitter.com/9Dp3ZJdbB5
— The Carling Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) August 26, 2024
The weekend action kicked off with the Vodacom Bulls demolishing the Suzuki Griquas 47-24 on Friday, securing their seventh win in eight games. In that clash in Pretoria, the Vodacom Bulls demonstrated their dominance against the Suzuki Griquas.
Despite the visitors’ early 14-0 lead, the Bulls fought back to take a 26-19 lead into halftime and eventually scored seven tries to four, solidifying their position at the top of the log.
ALSO READ: Griquas show spirit but Bulls dig deep to remain unbeaten
Bulls No.8 Mpilo Gumede was a standout, crossing the whitewash twice, while former Junior Bok hooker Juann Else added two more tries off the bench. For the Kimberley side, winger Dylan Maart continued his impressive form with a brace of tries.
The following day, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV outplayed DHL Western Province 31-23 in Cape Town, and the Fidelity ADT Lions claimed the “big cat derby” with a 38-21 victory over the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
The Durbanites have now leaped into third place on 26 points, just behind the Vodacom Bulls (36 points) and Fidelity ADT Lions (33 points).
The race to the #CarlingCurrieCup semi-finals is going down to the wire – more here: https://t.co/pv6AWsdcOa 😳#WhereChampionsRise pic.twitter.com/XDODxZCIb0
— The Carling Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) August 26, 2024
The Toyota Cheetahs and Airlink Pumas are level on 24 points, with only points difference separating them. DHL Western Province (14 points), Suzuki Griquas (14 points), and the NovaVit Griffons (3 points) seem unlikely to make the play-offs.
The Airlink Pumas, currently chasing a top-four spot, benefited greatly from the Lions’ win, which denied the Free Staters any bonus points. The Pumas capitalised on this by closing the gap on fourth place with a 45-26 win over the NovaVit Griffons on Sunday.
Later on Saturday, the Fidelity ADT Lions delivered a dominant performance in Bloemfontein, racing to a 26-7 lead at halftime against the Toyota Cheetahs.
The Lions ultimately scored six tries and four conversions, while the Cheetahs could only respond with three converted tries. Flyhalf Kade Wolhuter was instrumental for the visitors, showcasing his tactical kicking and contributing a try, four conversions, and setting up several scores.
The round concluded on Sunday in Welkom, where the Airlink Pumas secured a vital 45-26 bonus-point victory over the NovaVit Griffons. After a closely contested first half, Jimmy Stonehouse’s men used their experience to pull away in the second half, scoring seven tries—each by a different player.
The hosts responded with four tries of their own, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Pumas from closing in on the play-off spots. Airlink Pumas loose forward Ntsika Fisanti was exceptional, causing havoc at the breakdown and initiating several attacks.
As the Currie Cup heads into its penultimate round, all eyes will be on the matches that could determine the final play-off contenders.
The round kicks off on Friday with the Suzuki Griquas hosting the Toyota Cheetahs in Kimberley at 3pm, followed by the much-anticipated Jukskei Derby between the Vodacom Bulls and Fidelity ADT Lions at 5.15pm in Pretoria.
On Saturday, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV will face the NovaVit Griffons in Durban at 1.30pm, while the round concludes on Sunday with DHL WP taking on the Airlink Pumas in Cape Town at 3pm.
The Currie Cup is heating up, and with the play-offs in sight, every point is crucial in this race to the finish line.
