Heyneke Meyer's Eagles cruising at the top as battle for play-offs intensifies
PREVIEW: Two rounds remain before the Currie Cup First Division moves into play-off mode, with qualification for the semifinals and home ground advantage key as five of the six teams jockey for final positions.
The Border Bulldogs have dropped out of the semifinal race, and the Leopards must win this weekend to remain in contention, but anything can still happen with the four other teams.
As it stands, the SWD Eagles are firmly in control of their own destiny, and they will be confident of hanging onto their top spot on the log when they host Border in the first of three games from 14.00 (12.00 GMT) on Saturday.
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The other matches are scheduled to kick off at 15.00 (13.00 GMT) in Potchefstoom, where the Leopards host the Falcons, while Eastern Province welcome the Griffons to Gqeberha.
The high-flying Eagles, the only unbeaten team left in the competition, will fancy their changes of another full-house of log points against the Bulldogs, who are having a forgettable season.
The Bulldogs have shipped 193 points so far in the competition and unless they show a vast improvement on Saturday, it could be a tough trip to George.
At the same time, SWD will not have forgotten their previous match against Border, who scored four tries at home in the SA Cup and showed they can mix it with the big dogs.
The Falcons will be keen to hold onto their second spot on the log. The men from the East Rand are on 11 points, the same as EP and the Griffons, with only points’ difference separating the three sides.
As a result of the log jam, the Falcons will go out chasing a big win in Potch, but it won’t be easy as the Leopards are always a tough opponent at home, especially with their backs against the wall.
The Leopards have lost three close games so far in the Currie Cup First Division, and will feel a breakthrough is close, but nothing but their best will be good enough against the Falcons, who were runners up last season.
In the last match of the weekend, at the NMU Madibaz fields in Gqeberha, the defending champion Griffons will go all out against Eastern Province to return to winning ways and possibly secure home ground advantage in the semifinals.
Both sides will know that defeat will probably end their hopes of hosting one of the play-offs, which makes for a mouth-watering contest in the Eastern Cape.
The Griffons will be keen to bounce back from last weekend’s big defeat at home against SWD to ensure a strong push in the business end of the competition, while EP will be buoyed by their recent performances against the visitors.
In their last match against the Griffons, in the SA Cup, EP beat their hosts by 31-28 in Welkom, while the Elephants also edged the Northern Free Staters when they last visited Gqeberha, in the SA Cup in 2025, by 20-14.
Next weekend in the final league round, SWD host EP in George, the Leopards travel to East London to take on Border, and the Falcons welcome the Griffons to Kempton Park.
Saturday, July 4
SWD Eagles v Border Bulldogs
(Outeniqua Park, George – Kick-off: 14.00; 12.00 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Lottering
Leopards v Falcons
(Olën Park, Potchefstoom – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Paul Mente
Eastern Province v Griffons
(NMU Madibaz B-Field – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Lulutho Matomela
