Currie Cup: Road to the playoffs

ANALYSIS: To appropriate a popularized colloquialism: ‘It is High Noon at the OK Corral.’

With just two rounds before the play-offs, the Currie Cup has become a six-team ‘shoot-out’.

The Sharks, topping the standings with 43 points, is the only team that has already secured their place in the play-offs.

However, they can finish anywhere from first to third.

Given the remaining games, a top-two finish is probable.

The only team definitely out of the running is the newcomers, the Griffons.

The Cheetahs, second on 41 points, need just one point from their last two matches to book their place in the semifinals.

They face two teams in a desperate scramble for the three remaining play-off places.

From here on it gets manic!

The defending-champion Pumas (36), Western Province (31), Lions (31), Bulls (31) and Griquas (30) are all in a mad dash for places.

And the roster in the last fortnight ensures almost every game will have an impact on the final play-off positions.

Below, @king365ed looks at all the scenarios in the last two Currie Cup League action rounds.

1 Sharks 43
Best finish: First
Worst finish: Third
Remaining matches
Sharks v Lions
Western Province v Sharks

2 Cheetahs 41
Best finish: First
Worst finish: Fifth
Remaining matches
Pumas v Cheetahs
Blue Bulls v Cheetahs

3 Pumas 36
Best finish: First
Worst finish: Seventh
Remaining matches
Pumas v Cheetahs
Griquas v Pumas

4 Western Province 31
Best finish: Third
Worst finish: Seventh
Remaining matches
Griquas v Western Province
Western Province v Sharks

5 Lions 31
Best finish: Third
Worst finish: Seventh
Remaining matches
Sharks v Lions
Griffons v Lions

6 Bulls 31
Best finish: Third
Worst finish: Seventh
Remaining matches
Bulls v Griffons
Bulls v Cheetahs

7 Griquas 30
Best finish: Third
Worst finish: Seventh
Remaining matches
Griquas v Western Province
Griquas v Pumas

8 Griffons 9
Best finish: Eight
Worst finish: Eight
Remaining matches
Bulls v Griffons
Griffons v Lions

@king365ed
@rugby365com