CURRIE CUP WRAP: Kavaliers comeback, Cheetahs dominance sees them set pace

With two rounds left to go, there is a real possibility that none of the four URC franchises may make the playoffs of this year’s Carling Currie Cup, with this weekend’s penultimate pool round likely to determine that fate.

The Boland Kavaliers - the newcomers who have stunned this competition with three home wins over more fancied sides - continued their march at the top when they rose from the dead in Nelspruit to overturn a 21-3 halftime deficit to win 29-26 and spark celebrations that will filter into their belief for the rest of the competition.

But while the Kavaliers have become the romantic favourite in the domestic competition for good reasons, it was the Toyota Cheetahs that did the biggest damage to the aspirations of the bigger franchises with a massive 47-31 win over the Fidelity ADT Lions in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

KAVALIERS ON TOP

Both the Cheetahs and Kavaliers sit at the top of the Currie Cup log on 21 points, virtually assuring themselves of a playoff spot, and will now hope to secure a home playoff in the next two weeks to give themselves the best chance of winning the golden trophy.

The Lions were stunned in a high-scoring game by Frans Steyn’s side as the Cheetahs coasted to a big lead in the first half before the Lions fought back to level matters at 31 all. The home side found some gas in the last few minutes to pull away in a match that saw 11 tries in total.

The effect of the win was immediate for everyone to see. The Lions - who have continued to use a large part of their URC side in the Currie Cup - looked gassed and there are real fears this may come back to haunt them in the second half of the URC.

The Lions are now in danger of missing out on the playoffs with the loss and will be desperate to beat their Jukskei rivals, the Bulls this coming weekend to give themselves a chance of making it. While they sit on 16 points in third spot, their three way fight with the Pumas and Griquas will be interesting to watch.

TENSE FINAL ROUNDS

The Lions will face Griquas in the final round, a game that could determine both sides’ chances of the playoffs, while the Pumas need to beat WP this weekend and travel to Durban next weekend to get a win if they are to get into the top four. Griquas also have a tough game against neighbours, the Toyota Cheetahs this weekend that they must pick up points if they are to make the playoffs.

Down in the lowveld, Boland’s comeback was exceptional, especially as the Pumas have buried many a bigger team there.

Two early yellow cards saw Boland go down to 13, and the Pumas built up their lead through a brace by Ross Braude and another by Eddie Swart saw the home team surge into the halftime lead.

But composure and determination got Boland back into the game. First it was a corner score by winger Marcqiewn Titus before the other winger - Xavier Mitchell - added his name to the scoresheet. Former Bulls prop Dayaan van der Westerhuizen barged over from close range and suddenly Boland were within four points.

CRUCIAL MOMENT

The crucial moment came when Blitzbok winger Darron Adonis tried to intercept, knocking the ball down and earning him a yellow card. Replays showed a clear overlap and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try, giving the Kavaliers a dramatic victory.

The Vodacom Bulls - so severely depleted by call-ups and injuries that only 10 of their contracted squad were available for the game and assistant coach Josh Strauss was on the bench as a replacement - effectively ended their run in the competition as they lost 42-21 to Suzuki Griquas at Grizzly Park in Tuine, Pretoria.

DEPLETED BULLS

The Bulls had several players called up to the pre-season preparations of Johan Ackermann’s squad and without effective back-ups and with a host of injuries, were never going to be as competitive as the first two rounds when they set the pace. Since then they have slid to three defeats and Sunday’s loss effectively ended their campaign.

JP Pietersen’s Sharks XV won the battle of the bottom dwellers, outlasting Western Province in a game that had loads of under-21 players on display, and while both teams are out of the running for the playoffs, they can have a say in the fortunes of those looking for a playoff place in the next fortnight.

CURRIE CUP RESULTS

Airlink Pumas 26 Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 29

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV 29 DHL Western Province 21

Toyota Cheetahs 47 Fidelity ADT Lions 31

Vodacom Bulls 21 Suzuki Griquas 42

FIXTURES THIS COMING WEEKEND

Friday

Toyota Cheetahs v Suzuki Griquas (5pm)

Saturday

Fidelity ADT Lions v Vodacom Bulls (3pm)

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV v Sanlam Boland Kavaliers (5:10pm)

DHL Western Province v Airlink Pumas (7:20pm)