Tough Free State derby as race for semis heats up
Yesterday at 04:18 AM
ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: A big Free State derby between the Cheetahs and Griffons is one of the stand-out games in the fifth round of the SA Cup, with several other intriguing matches lined up as the race for the top four qualification positions for the Currie Cup heats up.
Defending champions Griquas and 2024 finalists Pumas are leading the standings with the maximum 20 league points, having won all four of their matches so far. Below them, an interesting race is developing between the Griffons (third, 16 points), Boland Cavaliers (fourth, 13 points), Cheetahs (fifth, 12 points), and Falcons (sixth, 11 points).
With just four regular league games remaining before the semifinals on the weekend of May 17, the contenders below the unbeaten pacesetters know they cannot afford any slip-ups.
Two matches are set to take place on Friday, while the remaining three fixtures will be contested on Saturday. SWD Eagles will kick off the weekend's action Friday when they host the Falcons at the picturesque Outeniqua Park in George.
As things stand, the men from Welkom have four more log points than the Cheetahs. Last week, the Griffons gave a good account of themselves before bowing to pace-setters Griquas, while the Cheetahs had to fight tooth and nail to beat Eastern Province.
In the corresponding fixture last year between the two neighbours, the Griffons emerged victorious by just three points in Welkom. However, playing in Bloemfontein might give the Cheetahs that extra lift against a very difficult derby opponent.
Meanwhile, in Gqeberha, Eastern Province will be aiming for their second win of the season when they host the Leopards at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. EP are three league points better off and two places above the second-last Leopards, who last week enjoyed their first win of the season against Border.
Despite having only one win in the bag so far, EP has been competitive in all their games and at times unlucky not to close out matches successfully. The hosts will regard themselves as favourites against a Leopards outfit who have managed to score only 45 points in four games to date.
See below for match information!
Friday, April 4
SWD Eagles vs Falcons
(Outeniqua Park, George - Kick-off: 15.30, 13.30 GMT)
Teams
SWD:
Falcons: 15 Mbembe Payi, 14 Valentino Wellman, 13 Musa Tshabalala, 12 Waqar Solaan, 11 Ezrick Alexander, 10 Sergio Stalmeester, 9 Wernich Aucamp, 8 Abulele Ndabambi, 7 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 6 Kelvin Kanenungo, 5 Andrew Volschenk (co-captain), 4 EddieEvans (co-captain), 3 Thabo Ntunja, 2 Pierre Rabie, 1 Kayden Kiewit
Replacements: 16 Joshua Eras, 17 Lindokhuhle Seteni, 18 Blaine Golden, 19 Philip Apea-Adu, 20 Zingisa April, 21 Liam Kloosman, 22 Zeilinga Strydom, 23 Adrian Joubert
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Pumas vs Border Bulldogs
( Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit - Kick-off: 19.00, 17.00 GMT)
Teams
Pumas:
Border:
Referee: Hernus Coetzee
Saturday, April 5
Griquas vs Boland Cavaliers
(Kimberley Stadium, Kimberley - Kick-off: 14.00, 12.00 GMT)
Teams
Griquas: 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurwin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead (captain), 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Carl Els, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Cebo Dlamini, 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Leon Lyons
Replacements: 16 Dandre Delport, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Athenkosi Khethani, 20 Jac van der Walt, 21 Phumzile Maqondwana, 22 Bobby Alexaner, 23 Connor Mahoney
Boland:
Referee: Hanru v Rooyen
Eastern Province vs Leopards
(Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha - Kick-off: 15.00, 13.00 GMT)
Teams
Eastern Province:
Leopards: 15 Lwandile Mapuka, 14 Sina Tshantyi, 13 Bryan Breda, 12 Mihlali Nchukana, 11 Brandon Keevy, 10 Charles Williams, 9 Sylvester Hassien, 8 Gcina Mdltshe, 7 Ghudian van Reenen, 6 Uzile Tele, 5 Chris van Heerden, 4 Dries du Preez, 3 Ig Prinsloo (captain), 2 Jason Alexander, 1 Tatenda Chayayl
Replacements: 16 Liyema Mgwigwi, 17 Dima Lebelo, 18 Werner Geldenhuys, 19 Lood Prins, 20 Eben Verste, 21 Didi Sekati, 22 Chadd Adams, 23 Andre Grober
Referee: Paul Mente
Cheetahs vs Griffons
(Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Kick-off: 15.00, 13.00 GMT)
Teams
Cheetahs:
Griffons:
Referee: Sean Muller
