Lions, Cheetahs clash full of intrigue
IT IS unlikely in the 125 years of the Currie Cup’s existence that a team has ever gone from last on the points table to securing a home semifinal a week later.
It perhaps says more of this year’s closely contested Currie Cup format than it does of the Golden Lions’ 11thhour grasping of a wake-up.
When they kicked off against Western Province at a rain-soaked Ellis Park on Sunday, they were bottom of the pile following earlier wins at the weekend for the Blue Bulls and Griquas.
Fact is‚ they are not in the semis yet‚ let alone hosting one.
First, the Lions have to cross fingers that Western Province slip up against the table-topping Sharks in Durban on Saturday‚ before they go in search of a win against the Free State Cheetahs at Ellis Park.
The first part of the equation is really in the hands of the Sharks and to what degree they will expose their first choice players to the furnace a week ahead of a semifinal.
The Lions v Cheetahs matchup is potentially an intriguing one, with both teams likely to incorporate fresh faces in their lineup.
In the case of the Lions, they could welcome Springboks like in-form hooker Malcolm Marx‚ scrumhalf Ross Cronje‚ wing Courtnall Skosan‚ fullback Andries Coetzee and tighthead Ruan Dreyer.
The Cheetahs‚ who have no PRO14 commitments this weekend‚ could potentially call on centre Francois Venter (to captain the side)‚ hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld‚ utility back Sergeal Petersen and wing Raymond Rhule.
They will be welcome additions to the Cheetahs‚ who after a bright start to the competition have gone backwards. They have had to spread their resources thin across the PRO14 and the Currie Cup.
Although the Cheetahs are third on the points table, they could slip out of a top-four shot should they lose and the Blue Bulls secure a bonus point win over the Pumas.
It would be quite an achievement were they to qualify for the semis while still making a fist of it in Europe.
The Lions, however, will be tough to beat. They will well recall how they lost to the Cheetahs after the full-time siren in Bloemfontein in August.