05-08-2005, 09:35 AM
The Blue Bulls and the Natal Sharks renew their long-standing rivalry when they meet in an Absa Currie Cup qualifying competition clash at Securicor Loftus in Pretoria on Friday night.
The result will have no bearing on the outcome of the qualifying stage, with both teams having already qualified for the Super 8 stage of the country's premier domestic competition. Nevertheless, there remains a lot to play for -- both teams want to keep their unbeaten record intact and earn the honour of finishing in top spot in their section.
The Blue Bulls enjoy home advantage as well as a rich vein of form at present, despite the absence of their Springboks.
The Sharks, who have shown improvement with each game, have shown they have the ability to create and score tries. Despite being away from home, they are likely to give the Bulls their stiffest test so far.
In other section-X action on Friday, the Boland Cavaliers will be looking to put the seal on their qualification for the Super 8 when they face the AMD Valke in Brakpan (7pm), and the Mighty Elephants host the Eagles in Port Elizabeth (5pm).
The Cavaliers need at least a point out of their final match to secure a fourth-placed finish and a well-deserved place in the next round. The Valke are without a win in five starts and will most likely not have the beating of a well-balanced Boland outfit.
The match between the Elephants and the Eagles will be of academic interest with both out of the reckoning. Although the Elephants could draw level with Boland on 11 log points should the men from Wellington slip up, the Port Elizabeth outfit's points difference ratio is too large.
There could still be some fireworks at the death in section Y, with the Leopards, Border Bulldogs and Griffons all having a chance of ending fourth in the standings.
The Leopards are best placed to qualify. They are four points ahead of the Bulldogs and need two points from their last match against Wildeklawer Griquas, taking place at Olen Park in Potchefstroom on Friday (7pm).
Although Griquas' qualification is already confirmed, they are not the type of team to take their foot off the gas and will make the home side work hard.
The Bulldogs need five points from their clash with the @lantic Pumas in East London to keep their chances alive. They would also have to hope that the Leopards are unsuccessful against Griquas.
With home advantage, the Bulldogs have a good chance of getting a bonus-point win against a Pumas side that have been below their best this season.
The final section-Y clash on Friday is between the Griffons and the Cheetahs in Welkom (7pm). For the Griffons to finish fourth, they would have to beat the Cheetahs and earn a bonus point and bank on the Leopards and Bulldogs losing.
This is a tough ask under any circumstances and the Griffons will likely look back on a campaign that has at least helped them to ensure they can be competitive in the first division.
The final Currie Cup qualifying match is between the Lions and the Vodacom Blue Bulls on Saturday August 13. -- Sapa
The result will have no bearing on the outcome of the qualifying stage, with both teams having already qualified for the Super 8 stage of the country's premier domestic competition. Nevertheless, there remains a lot to play for -- both teams want to keep their unbeaten record intact and earn the honour of finishing in top spot in their section.
The Blue Bulls enjoy home advantage as well as a rich vein of form at present, despite the absence of their Springboks.
The Sharks, who have shown improvement with each game, have shown they have the ability to create and score tries. Despite being away from home, they are likely to give the Bulls their stiffest test so far.
In other section-X action on Friday, the Boland Cavaliers will be looking to put the seal on their qualification for the Super 8 when they face the AMD Valke in Brakpan (7pm), and the Mighty Elephants host the Eagles in Port Elizabeth (5pm).
The Cavaliers need at least a point out of their final match to secure a fourth-placed finish and a well-deserved place in the next round. The Valke are without a win in five starts and will most likely not have the beating of a well-balanced Boland outfit.
The match between the Elephants and the Eagles will be of academic interest with both out of the reckoning. Although the Elephants could draw level with Boland on 11 log points should the men from Wellington slip up, the Port Elizabeth outfit's points difference ratio is too large.
There could still be some fireworks at the death in section Y, with the Leopards, Border Bulldogs and Griffons all having a chance of ending fourth in the standings.
The Leopards are best placed to qualify. They are four points ahead of the Bulldogs and need two points from their last match against Wildeklawer Griquas, taking place at Olen Park in Potchefstroom on Friday (7pm).
Although Griquas' qualification is already confirmed, they are not the type of team to take their foot off the gas and will make the home side work hard.
The Bulldogs need five points from their clash with the @lantic Pumas in East London to keep their chances alive. They would also have to hope that the Leopards are unsuccessful against Griquas.
With home advantage, the Bulldogs have a good chance of getting a bonus-point win against a Pumas side that have been below their best this season.
The final section-Y clash on Friday is between the Griffons and the Cheetahs in Welkom (7pm). For the Griffons to finish fourth, they would have to beat the Cheetahs and earn a bonus point and bank on the Leopards and Bulldogs losing.
This is a tough ask under any circumstances and the Griffons will likely look back on a campaign that has at least helped them to ensure they can be competitive in the first division.
The final Currie Cup qualifying match is between the Lions and the Vodacom Blue Bulls on Saturday August 13. -- Sapa