It will be a case of make or break in the SA Cup this week, with a number of pivotal matches for several teams striving to keep alive their dreams of reaching the final.
With a maximum of 10 points at stake in the rest of the competition, five contenders remain in contention for a place in the final on 25 May. However, after this weekend at least one of these five sides will in all likelihood be out of the playoff picture.
The action commences on Friday when the Cheetahs, currently in fourth, are up against the struggling Border Bulldogs. A potential five-point triumph could see the Free Staters surge into second place, provided other results align favorably.
The Border Bulldogs will seek solace in home advantage as they strive to upset the Cheetahs and salvage points from a challenging season.
Later on Friday, the second-placed Pumas lock horns with the fifth-placed Boland Kavaliers in an eagerly anticipated showdown in Nelspruit.
For the Pumas, the fixture offers a prime opportunity to rebound from their recent defeat to log leaders Suzuki Griquas, while the Bolanders find themselves in a precarious position, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
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The Kavaliers’ path to the top two necessitates nothing short of a flawless 10-point haul from their remaining fixtures (they play EP in the final round), coupled with other results going in their favour.
Saturday’s schedule includes two games, including a duel between the Valke and Leopards in Kempton Park, with both teams eyeing a move up the table from their current eighth and ninth positions.
At the same time, Griquas host the SWD Eagles. Victory for the hosts from Kimberley would consolidate their top spot, which would be crucial as they have a Central Derby in their final league fixture next week, in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs.
The Eagles will vie for a sixth place finish and they will provide the log leaders with a stern test at Suzuki Stadium, where the visitors will be determined to defy the odds and hand Griquas their first defeat of the season.
Sunday’s match sees Griffons host Eastern Province, with the Northern Free Staters’ playoff hopes also in the balance.
With just one bonus point separating them from the Pumas, the Griffons can’t afford to slip up against EP as they still have hopes of securing a playoff berth. Victory for the visitors from Gqeberha can only see them maintain them their position on the log after this weekend’s fixtures.
SA Cup fixtures:
Friday, 10 May
Border Bulldogs vs Cheetahs, Police Park, East London, 3pm
Pumas vs Boland Kavaliers, Mbobela Stadium, Nelspruit, 7pm
Saturday, 11 May
Valke vs Leopards, Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park, 3pm
Griquas vs SWD Eagles, Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley, 3pm
Sunday, 11 May
Griffons vs Eastern Province, Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom, 3pm
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
