The Vodacom Bulls and Free State Cheetahs have ensured homeground advantage in the semi-finals of the Currie Cup next month, but who will claim top spot on the log?

With only three rounds remaining, holders Bulls – 42 points after 10 games – are leading the Cheetahs by a single point, but the Free Staters have a game in hand. The men from Bloemfontein are followed by the Sharks in distant third on 24 points.

Griquas are fourth on 21 points from nine games, while the Pumas are fifth from the same number of games. WP have improved to 13 points, while the winless Lions languish on five points after 10 games.

This week, the Bulls host the Pumas on Friday at Loftus Versfeld, before Griquas welcome the Cheetahs to Kimberley on Saturday, with the Lions set to entertain WP at Ellis Park. The Sharks have a bye.

The Bulls withstood a ferocious Lions fightback to regain top spot on the log, with a bizarre try right at the end of the match helping the hosts beat their neighbours and claim the Jukskei Derby by 43-37 in Pretoria.

The Cheetahs are still unbeaten after nine games following a 44-15 win over the Sharks in Bloemfontein, showing why they are considered one of the favourites for the title.

And in Nelspruit, where loadshedding had the final say in an exciting match, Western Province ended a run of seven defeats by beating the Pumas by 23-17, defending with energy towards the end of the match when most of the lights inside the stadium went off.

Fixtures: 

Bulls vs Pumas (Friday), 7pm, Pretoria
Griquas vs Cheetahs (Saturday), 2:30pm, Kimberley
Lions vs WP, 5pm, Johannesburg

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