28-07-2005, 12:12 PM
By Jacques van der Westhuyzen
WP vs Griquas
Friday in Cape Town, 7pm
ItÂ’s not often that these two teams are the Currie CupÂ’s top billing.
But such is the nature of the new qualifying structure that invariably a weekend such as this will arise where there really is nothing to get excited about.
The home side have suffered just one defeat
Western Province and Griquas, however, have been two of the better sides in the competition thus far, mixing structure and control with flair and a bit of the outrageous.
The home side have suffered just one defeat, to Free State in round one – the team Griquas narrowly lost to last weekend – but have since then managed to put big scores past their opponents.
TheyÂ’re a sound bunch up front with a number of seasoned campaigners, while among the backs there are the game-breakers such as captain Werner Greeff and Earl Rose.
The visitors though are not a team to be overawed by the occasion and should give a good account of themselves in Cape Town.
Under Gysie Pienaar theyÂ’ve found a new belief and confidence and while they lost by a mere two points last Saturday, have been the surprise package of the season.
The difference in class between these two teams is enormous
Whether theyÂ’re good enough to be counted among the genuine challengers for the title this year though will be revealed after this trip to Cape Town.
A win for the Province boys will move them to top spot in the section, while Griquas will remain in third place even if they manage a rare win. PienaarÂ’s men, however, have a game in hand and could still end the round in first place.
Prediction: WP, just
Leopards vs Bulldogs
Friday in Potchefstroom, 7pm
Thankfully this drab qualifying round is heading to its conclusion.
With one victory apiece in four games, the Bulldogs and Leopards occupy positions five and six in their section and are in a rivalry to see which of the two will make the Top Eight.
A good victory this weekend will put either side in a position to challenge fourth spot so thereÂ’s plenty at stake for both.
The Bulldogs narrowly edged the Griffons last weekend and should be favourites going into this tie, but with the Leopards well rested after a break and the fact the match is being played in Potchefstroom, writing off the home side would not be wise.
Prediction: Leopards, just
Sharks vs Elephants
Friday in Durban, 7pm
If thereÂ’s going to be a hiding dished out this weekend, itÂ’s going to come in this fixture.
The difference in class between these two teams is enormous and one can expect the Sharks, who have won four out of four this year, to make it win number five after 80 minutes.
The confidence is slowly returning to the Sharks camp, who seem to be playing better and better as the season progresses.
For the Elephants, only a miracle will see them come away with any kind of respectability. TheyÂ’ve got only one win in four outings, and that came in the dying seconds against the Falcons.
Prediction: Sharks by 40
Griffons vs Pumas
Friday in Welkom, 7pm
Yet another match this weekend that will not have fans scrambling for the paper on Saturday morning. Only the die-hard fans will have any interest in this clash as both sides look set to do battle in the lower division from next month.
The Pumas have struggled to put a decent team together this year, let alone a decent performance. TheyÂ’re winless after four outings with just one bonus point to show for their efforts and are not likely to add to that points haul after tomorrowÂ’s match.
Welkom is a tough place to play and with the Griffons in fourth spot, on six points, the home side will be looking to cause another minor surprise.
Prediction: Griffons by 10
Eagles vs Falcons
Friday in George, 3.15pm
A genuine bottom of the table clash, with nothing other than pride to play for.
Neither side has managed to get a win this year and after four games must already be planning for the Bankfin Cup.
The Falcons suffered a massive 67-31 defeat on their home ground last week, and while there are a few good individual performers in the Brakpan-based side, as a team theyÂ’ve scared no-one.
The Eagles will be looking to regroup after conceding more than 50 points in Wellington last weekend as they go in search of their first points of the season.
While it should be a hard as nails encounter, itÂ’s unlikely to produce anything special.
Prediction: Falcons by 15
At a glance
Section X
August 5 Blue Bulls vs Sharks, Pretoria; Elephants v Eagles, PE; Falcons vs Cavaliers, Brakpan
August 13 Lions vs Blue Bulls; Johannesburg
P W D L F A Pts
Bulls 4 4 0 0 230 77 20
Lions 5 4 0 1 177 84 20
Sharks 4 4 0 0 162 73 19
Cavaliers 5 2 0 3 165 146 11
Elephants 4 1 0 3 95 159 6
Falcons 4 0 0 4 82 180 3
Eagles 4 0 0 4 39 231 0
Section Y
Griffons vs Cheetahs, Welkom; Leopards vs Griquas, Potchefstroom; Bulldogs vs Pumas, East London
P W D L F A Pts
Cheetahs 5 5 0 0 166 54 22
WP 5 4 0 1 193 101 21
Griquas 4 3 0 1 148 72 15
Griffons 4 1 0 3 100 141 6
Bulldogs 4 1 0 3 71 130 6
Leopards 4 1 0 3 104 189 6
Pumas 4 0 0 4 74 169 1
WP vs Griquas
Friday in Cape Town, 7pm
ItÂ’s not often that these two teams are the Currie CupÂ’s top billing.
But such is the nature of the new qualifying structure that invariably a weekend such as this will arise where there really is nothing to get excited about.
The home side have suffered just one defeat
Western Province and Griquas, however, have been two of the better sides in the competition thus far, mixing structure and control with flair and a bit of the outrageous.
The home side have suffered just one defeat, to Free State in round one – the team Griquas narrowly lost to last weekend – but have since then managed to put big scores past their opponents.
TheyÂ’re a sound bunch up front with a number of seasoned campaigners, while among the backs there are the game-breakers such as captain Werner Greeff and Earl Rose.
The visitors though are not a team to be overawed by the occasion and should give a good account of themselves in Cape Town.
Under Gysie Pienaar theyÂ’ve found a new belief and confidence and while they lost by a mere two points last Saturday, have been the surprise package of the season.
The difference in class between these two teams is enormous
Whether theyÂ’re good enough to be counted among the genuine challengers for the title this year though will be revealed after this trip to Cape Town.
A win for the Province boys will move them to top spot in the section, while Griquas will remain in third place even if they manage a rare win. PienaarÂ’s men, however, have a game in hand and could still end the round in first place.
Prediction: WP, just
Leopards vs Bulldogs
Friday in Potchefstroom, 7pm
Thankfully this drab qualifying round is heading to its conclusion.
With one victory apiece in four games, the Bulldogs and Leopards occupy positions five and six in their section and are in a rivalry to see which of the two will make the Top Eight.
A good victory this weekend will put either side in a position to challenge fourth spot so thereÂ’s plenty at stake for both.
The Bulldogs narrowly edged the Griffons last weekend and should be favourites going into this tie, but with the Leopards well rested after a break and the fact the match is being played in Potchefstroom, writing off the home side would not be wise.
Prediction: Leopards, just
Sharks vs Elephants
Friday in Durban, 7pm
If thereÂ’s going to be a hiding dished out this weekend, itÂ’s going to come in this fixture.
The difference in class between these two teams is enormous and one can expect the Sharks, who have won four out of four this year, to make it win number five after 80 minutes.
The confidence is slowly returning to the Sharks camp, who seem to be playing better and better as the season progresses.
For the Elephants, only a miracle will see them come away with any kind of respectability. TheyÂ’ve got only one win in four outings, and that came in the dying seconds against the Falcons.
Prediction: Sharks by 40
Griffons vs Pumas
Friday in Welkom, 7pm
Yet another match this weekend that will not have fans scrambling for the paper on Saturday morning. Only the die-hard fans will have any interest in this clash as both sides look set to do battle in the lower division from next month.
The Pumas have struggled to put a decent team together this year, let alone a decent performance. TheyÂ’re winless after four outings with just one bonus point to show for their efforts and are not likely to add to that points haul after tomorrowÂ’s match.
Welkom is a tough place to play and with the Griffons in fourth spot, on six points, the home side will be looking to cause another minor surprise.
Prediction: Griffons by 10
Eagles vs Falcons
Friday in George, 3.15pm
A genuine bottom of the table clash, with nothing other than pride to play for.
Neither side has managed to get a win this year and after four games must already be planning for the Bankfin Cup.
The Falcons suffered a massive 67-31 defeat on their home ground last week, and while there are a few good individual performers in the Brakpan-based side, as a team theyÂ’ve scared no-one.
The Eagles will be looking to regroup after conceding more than 50 points in Wellington last weekend as they go in search of their first points of the season.
While it should be a hard as nails encounter, itÂ’s unlikely to produce anything special.
Prediction: Falcons by 15
At a glance
Section X
August 5 Blue Bulls vs Sharks, Pretoria; Elephants v Eagles, PE; Falcons vs Cavaliers, Brakpan
August 13 Lions vs Blue Bulls; Johannesburg
P W D L F A Pts
Bulls 4 4 0 0 230 77 20
Lions 5 4 0 1 177 84 20
Sharks 4 4 0 0 162 73 19
Cavaliers 5 2 0 3 165 146 11
Elephants 4 1 0 3 95 159 6
Falcons 4 0 0 4 82 180 3
Eagles 4 0 0 4 39 231 0
Section Y
Griffons vs Cheetahs, Welkom; Leopards vs Griquas, Potchefstroom; Bulldogs vs Pumas, East London
P W D L F A Pts
Cheetahs 5 5 0 0 166 54 22
WP 5 4 0 1 193 101 21
Griquas 4 3 0 1 148 72 15
Griffons 4 1 0 3 100 141 6
Bulldogs 4 1 0 3 71 130 6
Leopards 4 1 0 3 104 189 6
Pumas 4 0 0 4 74 169 1