A place in this year’s Carling Currie Cup Premier Division final is the big prize on offer when the two semi-finals will be staged in Johannesburg and Kimberley on Saturday.
The Fidelity ADT Lions host the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers at 17h00 at Ellis Park in the first encounter, which will be followed by the 19h15 kick-off at the Suzuki Stadium, where Suzuki Griquas host their central South African neighbours, the Toyota Cheetahs.
The Lions secured pole position with a commanding 37-7 victory over Griquas in the final round of the league action last weekend, meaning they will be brimming with confidence heading into the semi-final.
Their form this season has been impressive, which enabled them to finish the league phase at the top of the log with five wins from seven matches. Their only two losses came against the Cheetahs (47-31) and Boland (29-10), interestingly both on the road. The latter result will no doubt be extra motivation for the Joburg outfit who will be keen to avenge that loss and continue their dominance at Ellis Park.
Boland, meanwhile, have enjoyed a memorable campaign since being promoted to the Premier Division after the SA Cup. They have consistently proved their credentials, securing a top four finish with four wins and a couple of close-fought losses. Their home victory over the Lions in the league phase was a definite highlight, demonstrating their ability to ruffle the feather of the more experienced teams.
However, they are coming off a 40-22 derby defeat to DHL Western Province in their final league match, a result that saw them slip from second to fourth place on the final log. Kavaliers coach Hawies Fourie knows they would need to regroup quickly and rediscover the form that saw them winning on a regular basis.
According to their respective form guides, the Lions stand stronger with two losses from their last five games, while Boland in turn have three wins and two losses (both in their previous two outings), over the same period.
This match is set for a clash of styles, with the attacking rugby of the Lions against the tenacious, hard-working grit of the Boland side. The Kavaliers’ ability to defend stoutly and capitalize on their opportunities will be key, while the Lions on the other hand, will look to dominate the set piece with their more experienced pack, hoping to unleash their dangerous backline at their high-altitude venue.
The second semi-final pits two of the competition’s most consistent performers against each other, when Suzuki Griquas host the Toyota Cheetahs in Kimberley.
Both have been in good form for much of the season, and their neighbourly rivalry adds an extra layer of intensity to this knock-out encounter.
Griquas have the better run-in of the two teams, winning five consecutive games after a first-round loss. This run of form saw them rise to the top of the log before their final-round defeat to the Lions. Despite the setback, their home ground advantage in Kimberley should be key factor.
Suzuki Stadium has been a formidable venue for visiting teams – Griquas’ last defeat at their home ground was more than a year ago against the Lions – and the team from the Diamond City will look to make home ground advantage count to book their spot in next weekend’s final.
Equally, the Cheetahs also had a strong season. Four wins allowed them to finish tied on 23 points with the Kavaliers to clinch third place on the standings due to a superior points’ differential. However, their form has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, with big wins and close-fought losses.
Furthermore, Frans Steyn’s Free Staters will be looking to bounce back from a narrow 35-31 away defeat to the Vodacom Bulls in their final league encounter. A late surge in last weekend’s exciting game showed their typical fighting spirit, and they will need every bit of that resilience against a good Griquas outfit.
Their Carling Currie Cup head-to-head record in the last five seasons is is closely contested, with each team securing four wins, plus a drama-filled draw in the last nine encounters between them, which points to another tight, exciting battle on the cards.
Match Information:
Fidelity ADT Lions vs Sanlam Boland Kavaliers
Date: Saturday, 13 September
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17h00
Referee: Griffin Colby
Broadcast: SuperSport
Suzuki Griquas vs Toyota Cheetahs
Date: Saturday, 13 September
Venue: Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
Kick-off: 19h15
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Broadcast: SuperSport
Sun Lemon
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VPR
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