Currie Cup playoff race heats up

THE Cheetahs went from virtual shoo-ins for a home semifinal in the Currie Cup to needing to win their last league game of the season next weekend to potentially secure a place in the playoffs, after their 40-10 thrashing by the Griquas on Friday that kicked off Round Six of the competition.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN [e-mail]

Friday's loss at the Free State Stadium left the Cheetahs in fourth place on 21 points.

It also opened the door for the Lions to draw level on points with the Free Staters after their bonus-point 44-5 victory over the Bulls in Saturday’s crunch derby clash that shut the door on the Bulls’ slim playoff hopes.

The Lions moved up one spot, to third in the table, thanks to a superior points difference.

The biggest movers at the weekend, however, were the Griquas, who shot from third place to first on 25 points, with their bonus-point triumph. Their spot in the final four is secured, but they could still lose out on a home semifinal should they lose next weekend against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday (5pm kickoff).

That mouthwatering encounter is shaping up as a duel for a home semi.