Defending champs Golden Lions in Currie Cup hunt

The Golden Lions kept their Currie Cup hopes alive with a come-from-behind 28-16 win over the Sharks at Ellis Park on Friday to book the fourth and final play-off berth.

Their prize is an away semi-final against the unbeaten Free State Cheetahs‚ which would probably bother the Bloemfontein side more that it would the Lions.

After a patchy season the Lions appear to be hitting form at precisely the right time. The Cheetahs though look commanding as well and despite a dead rubber against the Griquas on Saturday‚ the Cheetahs produced a sparkling 63-26 win to rightly claim the favourites tag for the title.

Under coach Franco Smith the Cheetahs have grown with each outing this season‚ combining solid basics with an adventurous spirit.

In eight matches they scored 366 points and 49 tries‚ which included seven try-scoring bonus points‚ while only conceding 18. The Lions also scored 49 tries in the pool phase but leaked 23.

As the semi-finals take place in two weeks’ time‚ following the conclusion of the Rugby Championship‚ the Lions could be strengthened for the business end of the campaign.

Japanese-contracted players such as Springbok No 8 Warren Whiteley‚ lock Franco Mostert‚ flyhalf Elton Jantjies and centre Lionel Mapoe are not available.

But Bok prop Julian Redelinghuys‚ scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and hooker Malcolm Marx are all free to play.

Cheetahs lock Lood de Jager and flank Teboho Mohoje are not available because they are Bok contracted players.

If Lions coach Johan Ackermann does recall all his available Boks and put out a near Super Rugby strength outfit‚ it would tilt the balance the way of the defending champions.

The second semi-final will see the Blue Bulls host Western Province at Loftus. On paper this looks like a formality for the home team after WP limped into the semis with a late 30-28 win over Boland at Newlands on Friday.

WP needed two penalties from flyhalf Rob du Preez to see off the spirited Boland challenge on Friday and despite their progression to the play-offs‚ it has been a season of struggle for the Cape side.

WP could also benefit from the return of Springboks Bongi Mbonambi and Juan de Jongh. But contracted Boks Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth will not be available.

Because of the same situation the Bulls will not be able to call on Adriaan Strauss and centre Jesse Kriel‚ who are both nationally contracted as well.

The Bulls have quietly qualified without much fuss‚ losing two matches out of eight while WP suffered three defeats along way.

TMG Digital/TMG Sport