Rampant Sharks lay down marker

CURRIE CUP: DURBANITES EYE FIRST TITLE SINCE 2013

Rudolph Jacobs Bloemfontein

The Sharks have shown that they have become the team to beat by securing an unassailable lead at the top of the Currie Cup standings. Their 18-5 victory over the Blue Bulls in Durban last week ensured their ninth win in 10 starts and 43 log points followed by the Cheetahs on 30 after they edged the Pumas 33-32 in Bloemfontein last weekend.

After losing heavily 45-15 to the Sharks and 57-14 to Western Province with a weakened squad because of the Pro-14, the Cheetahs did well to bounce back against the Pumas who shocked Province the previous weekend.

With just three rounds remaining, they are followed by Western Province on 27, the Lions on 25, the Pumas on 24 and the Blue Bulls on 20.

Province ensured they pushed the Lions, who had a bye, out of third with their 55-27 win over Griquas, but are left with three tough away matches against the Blue Bulls, the Lions and the Sharks.

The Lions have a tough fixture in Durban on Friday night to be followed by home games against Province and the Cheetahs and will probably have to win at least two of the three to advance.

The Pumas are still in with a chance but will have to beat Griquas in their last home game as well as the Blue Bulls away in their final away game and hope for some of the other results go their way.

The Blue Bulls host Province this weekend which is followed by an away fixture to the Cheetahs before hosting the Pumas on the last regular weekend. Like the Lions, they are faced with a mustwin scenario but could probably not afford to lose any of their remaining three clashes.

But the team sitting the prettiest are undoubtedly the Sharks who host the Lions and Province in their final two matches and are seemingly unstoppable on their way to their first trophy since 2013.