All eyes are on Kimberley and Joburg for Currie Cup semis

A place in this year’s Carling Currie Cup Premier Division final is the big prize on offer when the two semi-finals will be staged in Johannesburg and Kimberley on Saturday.

The Fidelity ADT Lions host the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers at 5pm at Ellis Park in the first encounter, which will be followed by the 7.15pm kick-off at the Suzuki Stadium, where Suzuki Griquas host their central South African neighbours, the Toyota Cheetahs.

The Lions secured pole position with a commanding 37-7 victory over Griquas in the final round of the league action last weekend, meaning they will be brimming with confidence heading into their semi-final.

Their form this season has been impressive, which enabled them to finish the league phase at the top of the log with five wins from seven matches. Their only two losses came against the Cheetahs (47-31) and Boland (29-10), interestingly both on the road. The latter result will no doubt be extra motivation for the Joburg outfit who will be keen to avenge that loss and continue their dominance at Ellis Park.

Boland, meanwhile, have enjoyed a memorable campaign since being promoted to the Premier Division after the SA Cup. They have consistently proved their credentials, securing a top four finish with four wins and a couple of close-fought losses. Their home victory over the Lions in the league phase was a definite highlight, demonstrating their ability to ruffle the feather of the more experienced teams.

However, they are coming off a 40-22 derby defeat to DHL Western Province in their final league match, a result that saw them slip from second to fourth place on the final log. Kavaliers coach Hawies Fourie knows they would need to regroup quickly and rediscover the form that saw them winning on a regular basis.

According to their respective form guides, the Lions stand stronger with two losses from their last five games, while Boland in turn have three wins and two losses (both in their previous two outings), over the same period.

This match is set for a clash of styles, with the attacking rugby of the Lions against the tenacious, hard-working grit of the Boland side. The Kavaliers’ ability to defend stoutly and capitalize on their opportunities will be key, while the Lions on the other hand, will look to dominate the set-piece with their more experienced pack, hoping to unleash their dangerous backline at their high-altitude venue.

The second semi-final pits two of the competition's most consistent performers against each other, when Griquas host the Cheetahs in Kimberley.

Both have been in good form for much of the season and their neighbourly rivalry adds an extra layer of intensity to this knock-out encounter.

Griquas have the better run-in of the two teams, winning five consecutive games after a first-round loss. This run of form saw them rise to the top of the log before their final-round defeat to the Lions. Despite the setback, their home ground advantage in Kimberley should be key factor.

Suzuki Stadium has been a formidable venue for visiting teams – Griquas’ last defeat at their home ground was more than a year ago against the Lions – and the team from the Diamond City will look to make home ground advantage count to book their spot in next weekend’s final.

Equally, the Cheetahs also had a strong season. Four wins allowed them to finish tied on 23 points with the Kavaliers to clinch third place on the standings due to a superior points’ differential. However, their form has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, with big wins and close-fought losses.

Furthermore, Frans Steyn’s Free Staters will be looking to bounce back from a narrow 35-31 away defeat to the Vodacom Bulls in their final league encounter. A late surge in last weekend’s exciting game showed their typical fighting spirit, and they will need every bit of that resilience against a good Griquas outfit.

Their Carling Currie Cup head-to-head record in the last five seasons is closely contested, with each team securing four wins, plus a drama-filled draw in the last nine encounters between them, which points to another tight, exciting battle on the cards.

Fixtures

Fidelity ADT Lions v Sanlam Boland Kavaliers - Saturday @ Ellis Park, Johannesburg (5pm)

Referee: Griffin Colby

Broadcast: SuperSport

Suzuki Griquas v Toyota Cheetahs - Saturday @ Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley (7.15pm)

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Broadcast: SuperSport

Fidelity ADT Lions starting XV: T15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids; Chris Smit, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns; 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom; 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha (capt), 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers starting XV: 15 James Tedder, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Jayden Bantom; 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Louis Schreuder; 8 Thurlow Marsh (capt), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Khwezi Mafu; 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Ameer Hendricks; 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede. Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Jurie van Vuuren, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Erik Lambrecht.

Suzuki Griquas starting XV: 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr; 10 George White head, 9 Calen Abrahams; 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen; 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu; 3 Cebo Dlamini (capt), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, 23 Connor Mahoney.

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Prince Nkabinde 13 Marco Janse van Vuuren, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Cohen Jasper; 10 Clayton Blommetjies, 9 Jandre Nel; 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe; 5 Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 Juan Venter; 3 Frankie dos Ries, Marko Janse van Vuuren, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Banie Britz.