Top teams eye semifinal spots on crucial Currie Cup First Division weekend

The three teams in the top half of the Carling Currie Cup First Division log will take the field as favourites in the fifth round of the competition this weekend, the penultimate round of league action before the semifinals. For some teams, this will be the last roll of the dice if they are going to make it into the playoffs.

The Eastern Cape derby between EP and the Border Bulldogs will play out in Gqeberha from 3pm on Friday, with the two other matches scheduled for Saturday afternoon – 2pm in Kempton Park and 3pm in Potchefstroom.

In the Eastern Cape derby at Madibaz Stadium, the hosts will be looking to heap more misery on their neighbours. The Elephants have not lost to the Bulldogs since 2021 and have won their last four encounters, dating back to 2023, quite comfortably.

Going on current form, it will be difficult for Border to cause an upset, but with the end of their season fast approaching, the men from East London may just be motivated enough to not only claim a big scalp, but also keep alive their slim semifinal hopes.

Interestingly enough, both teams have leaked 17 tries so far this season, but EP have scored 15, while Border have only crossed their opponents’ tryline on eight occasions in their three matches to date, something they will have to improve on if they are going to take the N2 back home with smiles on their faces.

DOWN TO THE WIRE

With the Valke seemingly unstoppable at the top of the log, the race between the NovaVit Griffons and Eastern Province will go down to the wire, as these two sides are in a fight for semifinal hosting rights.

Victory over the fourth-placed Phangela SWD Eagles at the Barnard Stadium this weekend will confirm a top-two finish for the men from the East Rand, and it will take a big effort from the visitors to topple the Valke.

The Eagles – whose last victory on the East Rand was in 2021 – will be desperate though, as they can still drop out of the top four, and the Valke will realise they can’t rest on their laurels despite enjoying a much better season so far.

The Leopards will have their work cut out for them when they host the NovaVit Griffons at Olen Park. Since losing their opening round clash against the Valke, the Northern Free Staters have won two on the bounce and impressively at that.

The Griffons handed their neighbours from North West a big hiding in the SA Cup in March (79-10).

The Northern Free Staters have held the upper hand against the Leopards for the last four years, with the hosts’ last victory over the Purple People Eaters in the Carling Currie Cup First Division final in August 2021 (19-18), which was their second win over the Griffons that season.

So, the Leopards will run out at Olen Park with the knowledge that they can beat the Griffons, but also that it will take a special effort to do so.

Match information:

Eastern Province v Border Bulldogs

Date: Friday, 4 July

Venue: Madibaz Stadium, Gqeberha

Kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Jonathan Lottering

Valke v Phangela SWD Eagles

Date: Saturday, 5 July

Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park

Kick-off: 2pm

Referee: Phumzile Mbewu