With nine rounds of Currie Cup action under the belt, the knock-out permutations are becoming less complicated. A big win in Kimberley was just what the doctor ordered for the Sharks and they go into their final round encounter with something to play for, at least – a hope that seemed rather scant after three losses in a row against Western Province, the Lions and the Bulls.
Those Lions just keep on roaring, though and absolutely hammered Western Province at the weekend to (again) sew up first place. There is no now doubt that the team will end comfortably in top spot and could afford to not even pitch up for their game against Griquas this weekend and it would make no difference. Not that Johan Ackermann is the kind of guy who would sacrifice momentum by doing that, though.
The Blue Bulls and Western Province will meet in one of the semi finals, with the venue still not 100% decided. Province will want to record a big five-pointer over the Kings this weekend to put pressure on the second-placed Bulls, but with even just a point or two in Nelspruit enough to seal second place for the men in blue, you’d fancy that a Loftus semi is virtually guaranteed at this stage.
The Kings and Griquas are, of course, well out of the running, while the sixth-placed Pumas could still overtake the Sharks to end fifth. The real battle of the round takes place in Bloemfontein, though, with the Durbanites needing a win over the Cheetahs to leapfrog their hosts into fourth place. It’s a real winner-takes-all quarter final clash, with the somewhat dubious reward for the victors being a semi-final showdown with the Lions in Johannesburg.
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And in other news: England you suck!
Well done to the boys. This win surely must lift the spirit in the camp. Cheetahs are beatible. Go Sharks.
Do we really want to play the Lions in a semi?
@Bokhoring (Comment 3) : well, it’s either that or watch the cheetahs play the Lions on TV
@robdylan (Comment 4) : Exactly…id rather be in a position to challenge rather than sitting out twiddling our thumbs
@Bokhoring (Comment 3) : Yes!
@JarsonX (Comment 1) : I love these jokes doing the rounds:
“What’s the difference between a tea bag and England?
A tea bag stays in the cup for longer”
@FireTheLooser (Comment 7) : lmfao
@FireTheLooser (Comment 7) : Did you see the meme with the England squad photo, with a tv in front like they’re all watching the WC now
@StevieS (Comment 9) : Shame…poor things
Now just for the ozzies to get knocked out in the quarters (retribution for 2011
) and I’d be rather chuffed.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 10) : Amen to that. Revenge is a dish best served (four years) cold!
@JarsonX (Comment 1) : I am quite enjoying that, though I do have some mates who are pretty gutted…
@StevieS (Comment 9) : Haha…ja…”England preparing for the quarter final” in front of the TV…too good!
@JarsonX (Comment 2) : So are the Sharks lol. Just saying.
@KingCheetah (Comment 14) : that’s just stating the obvious boet we all know that!!!!!! Going to the game Saturday? Thinking of driving to Bloem for the weekend to watch the game, you think there will still be tickets available?!?! ;-D
@KingCheetah (Comment 14) :
It should be interesting…good luck! May the best…oh, who am I kidding!? May the Sharks win!!! 
@pastorshark (Comment 16) : hahaha ja boet!!!!!
@JD (Comment 17) :
@pastorshark (Comment 16) : Amen to that
I see on Suparugby’s FB page that Robert du Preez has been appointed as head coach for the CC and assistant coach for SR from 1 November
https://www.facebook.com/SupaRugby
@Baylion (Comment 20) : I just saw that. Bester has a habit of jumping the gun but he’s seldom misinformed. I will dig
@robdylan (Comment 21) : @Baylion (Comment 20) : Wow! Given everything said on this site about Robert and needing to be assistant for SR…maybe the much-maligned administrators do know what they are doing! Now my question is: Will he be assistant to a new head coach for SR…or assistant to Gold?
@robdylan (Comment 22) : I see it’s already on his Wikipedia profile summary
@Baylion (Comment 23) :
@Baylion (Comment 23) : Wikipedia say anything about who our SR head coach will be?
@Baylion (Comment 23) : that’s nice. The big dog tells me nothing is signed.
@robdylan (Comment 26) : I at least like the direction this is going…and am interested to hear what SR Head Coach plans are…
@Baylion (Comment 20) : @robdylan (Comment 21) : really hope it’s true!!!!!!!!!!