The semi-finalists in the Carling Currie Cup Premier were confirmed this weekend following some nail-biting action, with four teams booking their spots in next weekend’s four knock-out clashes.
The Toyota Cheetahs secured the top spot after defeating the Vodacom Bulls 35-05 on Saturday evening in Bloemfontein, Windhoek Draught Griquas edged the Airlink Pumas 45-44 in their Friday evening thriller in Nelspruit, with both progressing to the semi-finals; and earlier on Friday DHL WP dashed the Cell C Sharks’ playoff hopes with a 28-21 win in Stellenbosch.
With the league phase of the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division completed, the Toyota Cheetahs finished in first place with 48 points, followed by the Vodacom Bulls on 47. Windhoek Draught Griquas follow in third (36 points) while the Airlink Pumas (29 points) complete next weekend’s semi-finalists.
As a result of their defeat in Stellenbosch, the Cell C Sharks missed out on a top-four spot and finished fifth on 27 points, followed by DHL WP (19) and the Sigma Lions (15).
Next weekend’s semi-final fixtures see the Toyota Cheetahs host the Airlink Pumas in Bloemfontein, while the Vodacom Bulls – defending champions of SA's premier domestic competition – face Windhoek Draught Griquas on the same day in the other semi-final in Pretoria. All match details will be confirmed shortly.
The Toyota Cheetahs rediscovered their mojo at just the right time to defeat the Vodacom Bulls 35-05 on Saturday evening in Bloemfontein, and seal the top spot on the Carling Currie Cup standings.
Their splendid bonus-point win allowed them to pass the defending champions from Pretoria to the top spot on the log, finishing with one point more than the men from Pretoria.
Having successfully prevented Gert Smal’s team from gaining any points from this exciting clash, the team coached by Hawies Fourie also earned the right to host the Final should they win next weekend's semi-final in Bloemfontein against the Airlink Pumas.
Windhoek Draught Griquas replacement utility back Fiela Boshoff kicked a brilliant last-gasp penalty goal to steer his side to a thrilling 45-44 Carling Currie Cup win over the Airlink Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday evening.
The result means that the team from Kimberley finish in third place on the log with 36 points for a spot in next week’s semi-finals, while the Airlink Pumas finished fourth on 29 points thanks to their two bonus points, also securing a place in the top four.
DHL Western Province snuffed out the Cell C Sharks’ Carling Currie Cup semi-final hopes with a 28-21 win in Friday afternoon’s coastal derby in Stellenbosch.
Needing a win to keep their playoff aspirations alive, the Cell C Sharks pushed the envelope from the kick-off but weren’t clinical enough to put points on the board. The more minutes ticked away, the tenser they became and the more mistakes they made.