The race to reach the Vodacom Cup final has been narrowed down to the top three teams on the log — all of which face tricky encounters this weekend.
The Wildebeest, Blue Bulls and Falcons have opened up a significant gap between themselves and the rest of the competition’s sides.
The Blue Bulls are the only one of the three playing at home this weekend when they host the Lions on Saturday, with the Wildebeest travelling to Wellington on the same day for a match against the unpredictable Boland Cavaliers and the Falcons heading for Potchefstroom on Friday night for a bruising clash with the Leopards.
The Blue Bulls will not be taking the Lions for granted, as five points for the visitors could still put them in with an outside chance of contesting a place in the final.
The Wildebeest, on 40 points, should have already secured a final berth, and so four points would be adequate for them as they go in search of that elusive home final.
The Blue Bulls and Falcons will ideally be looking for five points, but any win at this stage would be welcomed by both teams.
Although the Falcons have played one less game than the Blue Bulls, they will be the most concerned being two points behind the men from Pretoria and six behind the Wildebeest, and with the toughest of the three assignments this weekend.
Pride will be at a premium in Friday night’s other fixtures when Griquas host the Griffons in Kimberley, the Border Bulldogs travel to Witbank to play the Pumas and the Mighty Elephants host the Free State Cheetahs in Port Elizabeth.
As defending champions, Griquas have performed well below par this season, while the Griffons offered much in the early weeks but have delivered little since, and the Pumas, Elephants and Cheetahs have also been disappointing.
The Bulldogs are at the foot of the table and will slug it out with the Eagles for the wooden spoon.
It’s a battle that continues on Saturday when the Eagles host Western Province in George. — Sapa