Lions only have pride to play for
The Golden Lions will have to fight for survival in their remaining two Currie Cup clashes after coming unstuck against the Sharks in Durban at the weekend.
The Sharks earned a 24-10 win in wet conditions, taking an unassailable lead at the top with just one home game left against Western Province after their bye this weekend.
The Lions host Province on Sunday, followed by their last remaining fixture at home against the Free State Cheetahs, who are locked in a survival battle of their own.
Province have away games left against the Lions and the Sharks after their pulsating 46-45 victory over the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld yesterday, while the men from Pretoria still have to face the Cheetahs away and the Pumas at home.
Picking up a valuable bonus point in their high-scoring game against the Bulls, the Western Cape outfit moved above the Cheetahs into second position.
Though the Bulls earned two bonus points, their chances of qualifying for the play-offs have all but disappeared.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Griquas scored a big 59-24 win over the Cheetahs, but with just one away game left against the Pumas in Nelspruit, they will probably fall just short of a spot in the play-offs.
The Sharks lead on 47 points after the weekend fixtures, followed by Province on 32, the Cheetahs on 30 and the Lions on 25.
The Pumas, who enjoyed a bye, were lying fifth on 24, followed by the Blue Bulls on 22 and Griquas on 21.