The Griffons, Cheetahs, Boland Kavaliers and Valke are hot on the heels of SA Cup front-runners Griquas and the Pumas in round 6 of the competition this week.
The chasing pack must step up their efforts to ensure a place among top four spots on the league table to secure qualification for the Currie Cup Premier Division.
Only one match is scheduled for Friday, when defending champions Griquas host Eastern Province in Kimberley. Pieter Bergh’s men are in rampant form and heavy favourites to extend their remarkable unbeaten streak.
Saturday’s schedule has the Border Bulldogs hosting the Kavaliers in East London, the Leopards face the Pumas in Potchefstroom, the Cheetahs welcome the SWD Eagles to Bloemfontein and the Valke entertain Griffons in Kempton Park.
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With only one third of the league phase remaining, a tight race has developed below the unbeaten Griquas and Pumas for the remaining two Currie Cup Premier Division qualifying spots.
Last year’s inaugural champions, Griquas, and beaten finalists, Pumas, lead the chase with 25 league points each from five bonus-point wins.
As things stand, the chasing pack consists of the Griffons in third place with 18 points, just one point ahead of the Cheetahs.
In turn, the Free Staters are two points clear of the Kavaliers and Valke, both on 15 points, while EP have 12 points.
SA Cup round 6 fixtures:
Friday
Griquas vs EP, Kimberley, 3pm
Saturday
Border vs Boland, East London
Leopards vs Pumas, Potchefstroom
Cheetahs vs SWD, Bloemfontein
Valke vs Griffons, Kempton Park
(Kick-offs all 3pm)
Photo: Danie Van Der Lith/Gallo Images
