Stakes are high as Cheetahs face three-way battle for Currie Cup spot
PREVIEW: With only two rounds remaining before the 2026 SA Cup semifinals, the stakes could hardly be higher for the teams chasing play-off spots, with the top four teams at the end of the league phase also qualifying for the Currie Cup.
At the summit of the log, Griquas have opened a seven-point gap, creating breathing space between themselves and the chasing pack. As a result, they are firmly in pole position to secure one of the two coveted home semifinal berths.
The spotlight now shifts squarely to the three remaining semifinal positions, where margins are fine and every point will matter over the final two weeks of league action.
This weekend, four matches will be staged on Saturday, while the remaining fixture is scheduled for Sunday.
The unbeaten Griquas (35 points) host the third-placed SWD Eagles (27 points) in Kimberley in one of four Saturday meetings. The sixth-placed Falcons entertain the Leopards in Kempton Park as they look to keep alive their play-off aspirations, while Griffons and Eastern Province clash in Welkom with both teams eager to improve their respective log positions.
The final match on Saturday kicks off at 15.30 (13.30 GMT) when the Cheetahs face Border in East London, where nothing but a solid victory will do for the Free Staters to remain in touch with the playoff contenders.
On Sunday, all eyes will be on the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, where the defending champions Pumas, second on the log on 28 points, face the Boland in a crucial encounter from 15.00 (13.00 GMT).
The Cheetahs and Boland are currently level on 25 log points, but the men from Bloemfontein are one spot lower on the table due to an inferior points’ difference.
One of the weekend’s headline encounters takes place in Kimberley, where Griquas entertain the Eagles at the Suzuki Stadium. Victory for the hosts would cement their spot at the top of the log, while an upset win for the visitors from George would significantly enhance their chances of hosting a playoff match.
Pieter Bergh’s Griquas have been relentless throughout the campaign, and although SWD have made notable strides under the guidance of Heyneke Meyer, the Eagles will need to produce their best performance of the season to breach Griquas’ fortress.
According to the form guide, the Falcons should start as favourites when they welcome the Leopards to Kempton Park. The East Rand outfit sit six points adrift of the top four and must win both remaining matches with bonus points, while also relying on slip-ups from the teams above them, to remain in contention.
With three wins to Leopards’ solitary victory, JP Immelman’s Falcons will be confident of claiming a fourth victory in the penultimate round.
The Griffons and Eastern Province, separated by just one point on the log after two wins apiece, clash in Welkom, where the hosts will do everything in their power to pass their visitors – whose 12 points are one better than the Northern Free Staters’ 11 – on the table.
Eastern Province, coached by Alister Coetzee, will look to build on last week’s emphatic 71-14 victory over Border, though greater consistency will be demanded when they face the Northern Free Staters away from home.
Sunday’s fixtures are headlined by the crucial top four clash between the Pumas and Sanlam Boland. Both teams have collected five wins this season and are separated by only three log points, with the Pumas on 28 and Boland on 25.
Jimmy Stonehouse’s charges will be eager to rebound from their 44-34 defeat to Griquas in Kimberley last week, while Boland, under the guidance of Hawies Fourie, will seek to carry momentum from their 33-12 win over Leopards into what is shaping up as a defining contest.
Victory for the Pumas would move them significantly closer to securing a home semifinal, while a Boland win would firmly entrench their credentials as playoff contenders.
The round concludes at 15.30 (13.30) at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London, where Border host the Cheetahs. The Eastern Cape outfit will be smarting from a heavy derby defeat to EP and will aim to make life uncomfortable for the visitors from Bloemfontein.
Once the weekend’s fixtures conclude, only one round of league action will remain before the SA Cup semifinals are staged, with play-off spots, qualification, and momentum all hanging delicately in the balance.
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Match information:
Saturday, May 2
Griquas v SWD Eagles
Venue: Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Griffin Colby
Falcons v Leopards
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Griffons v Eastern Province
Venue: Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius vd Westhuizen
Border v Cheetahs
Venue: Sisa Dukashe Stadium, East London
Kick-off: 15.30 (13.30)
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
Sunday, May 3
Pumas v Boland
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
