Lions finish top of the pile

Wins on the last weekend by the so-called "big four" ensured a shake-up of the Currie Cup log, though the Bulls, Sharks and Western Province (Stormers) still won't feature in the semifinals this coming weekend.

- Jacques van der Westhuyzen

The inclusion of a number of senior, more experienced players in the matchday squads of the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and WP (Stormers) ahead of the start of the United Rugby Championship in a few weeks' time proved too much for the smaller teams - Boland, Pumas, Griquas and Cheetahs - who all lost.

However, when measured over the course of the competition, the smaller teams did excellently and Boland, Griquas and the Cheetahs will all play in the last-four.

The Lions though will be regarded as the favourites now to go all the way, after topping the points table.