JOHANNESBURG. – Currie Cup round five delivers four matches across three days, with log leaders Suzuki Griquas hosting the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in Kimberley and the Fidelity ADT Lions opening the weekend against the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers at Wits.
Read more: Currie Cup fixtures: Griquas host Lions in round four top clash
Griquas and the Lions headline Friday
The defending champions moved to the top of the standings after dispatching the Lions 31-19 in Kimberley last week, a third win from four matches. The Sharks XV revived their playoff hopes with a 19-12 win over the Kavaliers and sit seventh, two points outside the top four. Griquas hold a 3-2 head to head advantage in this competition.
The Lions are third on 12 points and remain the most potent attacking side in the tournament, with 140 points and 20 tries in four matches. Boland are fifth on 11 points after opening wins over the Vodacom Bulls XV and DHL Stormers XXIII, followed by narrow defeats to the Airlink Pumas and Sharks XV.
Pumas and Cheetahs chasing on the log
The Pumas climbed to fourth after edging the Bulls XV 33-31 at Loftus Versfeld and can move firmly into the top four when they host the Stormers XXIII in Mbombela. The Capetonians are sixth after a 31-26 loss to the Toyota Cheetahs in Cape Town, but lead that head to head 3-2.
The Cheetahs are second, level on points with Griquas, and travel to Pretoria on Sunday to face a Bulls XV side still searching for a first win. Three rounds remain before the semi-finals, which makes every log point in Currie Cup round five valuable.
Currie Cup round five fixtures and kick-off times
Fidelity ADT Lions v Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg, Friday 14 August, 15h00
Suzuki Griquas v Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley, Friday 14 August, 17h05
Airlink Pumas v DHL Stormers XXIII, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, Saturday 15 August, 17h00
Vodacom Bulls XV v Toyota Cheetahs, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, Sunday 16 August, 15h00
All four matches are broadcast live on SuperSport.
* Press release.
