Currie Cup, Round Seven - Teams and Predictions

PREVIEW: The Currie Cup Premier Division league phase reaches its decisive final weekend with just two semifinal places still up for grabs and five teams locked in the race to join Griquas and the Cheetahs in the playoffs.

Friday’s action kicks off in Johannesburg and Durban, followed by Saturday’s clash in Nelspruit before the regular season concludes in Wellington on Sunday.

Griquas and the Cheetahs have already secured their semifinal berths and head into the final round occupying the top two spots on the table.

Behind them, five teams remain in contention for the remaining two playoff places: Pumas (17 pts), Cavaliers (16), Stormers XXIII (15), Lions (13) and Sharks (13).  The Bulls XV, with five points, are already out of playoff contention.

With Griquas and the Cheetahs fighting for top spot, and five teams chasing the final two semifinal positions, it promises to be a tense weekend where every bonus point could prove decisive.

Pumas control their own destiny

The Pumas enter the final round in the strongest position of the chasing pack on 17 points. Victory over the Cheetahs at Mbombela Stadium would guarantee a semifinal place regardless of other results.

*Continues below…

#TeamAnnouncement: Stormers XXIII bolster team for crucial Ellis Park clash 👇#CurrieCup #Lions #StormersXXIII #LIOvSTO https://t.co/htSIjTdoAx

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Even a losing bonus point could be enough, depending on results elsewhere, but the hosts will want to avoid relying on other teams.

The Cheetahs hold the historical edge, winning four of the last five meetings between the sides, including a 42-25 victory in Bloemfontein last season. The Pumas’ most recent win came in the SA Cup semifinals earlier this year, when they claimed a thrilling 42-36 victory.

Lions and Stormers XXIII face a playoff shootout

Friday’s clash at 10Bet Ellis Park is the most direct semifinal battle of the weekend. The Stormers XXIII know a win would lift them to at least 20 points, while the Lions can also force their way into the top four with a home victory.

Bonus points elsewhere could still influence the final standings, making every score significant. History favours the Lions at Ellis Park.

They have won four of the last five meetings between the teams, including the last three in succession. The Stormers XXIII’s last victory came in March 2023.

Stormers XXIII coach Tom Dawson-Squibb acknowledged the challenge awaiting his side.

“There’s absolutely no doubt that we want to give an enormous performance against a team that has made the final the last two years. They’re playing at home, they’ve got fewer injuries and they’re finalists over the last two years. It’s pretty obvious who the favourites are.”

Dawson-Squibb said his side had enormous respect for the identity Ivan van Rooyen has built at the Lions.

*Continues below…

URC title contenders? https://t.co/NIC0DnH394

🌐#Rugby365

— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) August 26, 2026

“What Cash [van Rooyen] and the Lions have done is incredible. I’ve got huge respect for the way they play and what they’ve built. We can’t focus too much on them because that will only harm us.”

He also praised the Lions’ performance against the All Blacks earlier this week.

“I thought it was one brilliant URC team performance. It reaffirms the Lions’ style of play and I’m sure their players will find that performance inspirational.”

Head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi’s men understand the mission ahead of Friday’s clash after his side played level (22-22) to the Sharks XV in Pietermaritzburg last week, putting a slight dent towards their ambitions of securing a knockout spot in the competition.

“Tomorrow is a crucial game in terms of our play-off hopes, “ said Nkosi.

“We’re really focused on doing our part and getting a positive result and then let everything else take care of itself.”

The Lions will be without their regular pivot Sam Francis against the Stormers XXIII after he suffered an injury at the Woodburn Stadium nearly a week ago. Matt Coetzee takes charge of driving the attack, who Nkosi credits for playing a vital role in the recent u23 SA Rugby Cup competition where the Lions fell agonisingly short in the final against neighbours the Vodacom Bulls.

“Sam Francis incurred a niggle last week but that’s provided a great starting opportunity for Matt Coetzee (he’s come off the bench a few times) who acquitted himself exceptionally on our way to the final of the U23 competition, so we’re looking forward to him taking leadership and driving the team around the park.”

The Sharks XV remain outsiders in the race on 13 points. They must beat the Bulls XV in Durban – ideally with a bonus point – and then hope results in Johannesburg, Nelspruit and Wellington go their way.

The recent head-to-head record between the Sharks XV and Bulls XV is evenly balanced, with each side winning two of the last five meetings and one draw. The Bulls XV recorded the biggest result between the teams, a 64-0 victory in Pretoria last season.

Boland Cavaliers wait for Sunday showdown

Boland Cavaliers will enter Sunday’s clash against defending champions Griquas knowing exactly what they need.

A victory would give Boland a strong chance of reaching the semifinals for a second consecutive season, while bonus points could also keep their hopes alive depending on the earlier results.

Griquas won last season’s meeting 48-39 in Kimberley and arrive in Wellington in excellent form, having won four of their last five matches since their opening-round defeat to the Stormers XXIII.

Boland have also built momentum, winning three of their last five games, including victories over the Bulls XV, Stormers XXIII and Lions.

Tiebreakers:

If two or more teams are level on log points after the final league game on Sunday, the following permutations will be followed to determine their final position on the log (as per section 25.1.6 of SA Rugby’s General Competition Rules):

• The number of matches won by each team in the league stage;
• If unresolved, the difference between the total points scored and the total points conceded (points difference) for each team in all matches in the league stage;
• If unresolved, the number of tries scored by each team in all matches in the league stage;
• If unresolved, the number of points scored on the field of play by each team in all the matches in the league stage;
• If unresolved, the difference between the number of tries scored and the number of tries conceded by each team in all matches in the league stage;
• If unresolved, the number of yellow cards and/or red cards received by players for each team in all matches in the league stage (i.e. the team with fewer cards will be positioned higher); and
• If unresolved, the toss of a coin or as otherwise determined by SARU in its absolute discretion.

*See all the teams and predictions below!

Friday, August 28

Lions vs Stormers XXIII
(10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 17.05; 15.05 GMT)

Prediction: 

@Rugby365: Stormers by 12 points

Teams:

Lions: 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Keagan Smith, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Latica Nela, 10 Matt Coetzee, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Jarod Cairns (captain), 7 Renzo du Plessis, 6 Thando Biyela, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Siba Qoma, 3 Ruan Swart, 2 Armand Combrinck, 1 Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Cecil Parsons, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Marco Ferreira, 21 Zian Cilliers, 22 Exauce Kevani, 23 Luke Cannon

Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Luke Burger, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni (captain), 8 Eric Basson, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Xola Nyali, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo.
Replacements: 16 Altus Rabe, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Luan Botha, 20 Gert Kemp, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Dominic Malgas, 23 Kian Davis.

Referee: Christopher Allison
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Juan de Bod
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen

Sharks XV vs Bulls XV
(Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off: 19.15; 17.15 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365: Sharks by 10 points

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Lyle Matthews, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude (captain), 8 Hanu Pieterse, 7 Meno Bernard, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka.
Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Jaco du Toit, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Danio Botha, 20 Wasi Vyambwera, 21 Juan Loots, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Albie Bester

Bulls XV: 15 Aka Boqwana, 14 Ruan Enslin, 13 Marnus Rademeyer, 12 Christiaan Vlok, 11 Riyaad Bam, 10 Ian Van der Merwe, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Chinedu Amadi, 7 Cephas van Biljon, 6 Kebotile Maake, 5 Heinrich Theron, 4 Johnathan Eloff, 3 Arno Gustafson, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Sandi Msengana
Replacements: 16 Jaundrè Schoeman, 17 Damian Baker, 18 Duwan Potgieter, 19 Jacques Swarts, 20 Abongile Nonkontwana, 21 Dieter Schubert, 22 Brooklyn Newman, 23 Lavela Pongolo

Referee: Morne Ferreira
Assistant Referees: Lulutho Matomela, Caleb Hibbert
TMO: Quinton Immelman

Saturday, August 29

Pumas XV vs Cheetahs
(Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit – Kick-off: 14.00; 11.00 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365: Cheetahs by five points

Teams:

Pumas XV: 15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Darren Adonis, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Banie Britz, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Andre Goedhals, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Chyle van Zyl, 1 Zukisa Sali
Replacements: 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Stephan Krugel, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Ntsika Fisanti, 22 Tino Swanepoel, 23 Russwill Fredericks

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Jooste Nel, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Neels Volschenk (captain), 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Sisonke Vumazonke, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Arno van der Merwe, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Stefan Venter, 1 Dux Manyama
Replacements: 16 Frankie Dos Reis, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Simon Miller, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Cohen Jasper, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren

Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
Assistant Referees: Jonathan Lottering, Paul Mente
TMO: Archie Moko

Sunday, August 30

Boland Cavaliers vs Griquas
(Boland Stadium, Wellington – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365: Griquas by 14 points

Teams:

Boland: 15 Dominic Smit, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Godlen Masima, 8 Thurlow Marsh (captain), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Johnre Stopforth, 3 Heiko Pohlman, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede
Replacements: 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Jeandre Leonard, 20 Kwanda Dimaza, 21 Bentley Geldenhuys, 22 Chris Smit, 23 James Tedder

Griquas:15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurshwin Wehr, 10 Liam Koen, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carel Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (captain), 4 Malembe Mpofu. 3 JG Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons
Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Carel van der Merwe, 21 Jack Hart, 22 Geore Whitehead, 23 Sako Makata

Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant Referees: AJ Jacobs, Sean Muller
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen