The Carling Currie Cup produced some memorable moments over the weekend that it would, frankly speaking, be very difficult to script, as both the Vodacom Bulls and Toyota Cheetahs ensured home ground advantage in the semi-finals next month.
The Vodacom Bulls withstood a ferocious Sigma Lions fightback to regain the top spot on the log, with a bizarre try right at the end of the match helping the hosts to beat their neighbours and claim the Jukskei River Derby by 43-37 on Saturday night in Pretoria.
The Toyota Cheetahs are still unbeaten after nine games following a 44-15 win over the Cell C Sharks in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon, showing why they are considered one of the strong favourites for the title.
And on Friday evening in Nelspruit, where load shedding had the final say in an exciting match, DHL Western Province ended their run of seven defeats by beating the Airlink Pumas by 23-17, defending with energy towards the end of the match when most of the lights inside the stadium went off.
When power was restored a few minutes later, the relieved visitors could kick the ball into touch to cap a fine win in the Lowveld. The outcome was a setback for Jimmy Stonehouse’s team, who are positioned just outside the semi-final spots.
With only three rounds remaining, holders Vodacom Bulls (42 points after 10 games) are leading the Toyota Cheetahs by a single point, but the Free Staters have a game in hand. They are followed by the Cell C Sharks in a distant third on 24 points from 10 games.
Windhoek Draught Griquas were not in action this weekend, but they are still in the fourth position on 21 points from nine games, while the Airlink Pumas are fifth on 20 points from the same number of games. DHL WP improved to 13 points, while the winless Sigma Lions complete the standings on five points after 10 games.
The next round of league matches is scheduled for two weeks’ time, when the Vodacom Bulls host the Airlink Pumas on Friday, 27 May in Pretoria; Windhoek Draught Griquas welcome the Toyota Cheetahs to Kimberley on Saturday, 28 May; and the Sigma Lions entertain DHL WP, also on Saturday, 28 May, in Johannesburg.
