Derby showdown: Cheetahs eye home semi, Griquas out to crash Bloemfontein party

With just two rounds left in the 2025 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division, the battle for semi-final spots is wide open. This weekend’s fixtures could prove decisive, starting with a high-stakes clash in Bloemfontein on Friday evening. However, the action elsewhere in the country will be no less nailbiting.

Friday: Cheetahs vs Griquas

Log leaders Toyota Cheetahs will host third-placed Suzuki Griquas at 5pm in Bloemfontein. Both teams are pushing for a home semi-final, and the derby carries extra weight with only one round remaining after this.

Cheetahs assistant coach Tiaan Liebenberg, who once played for the Peacock Blues, said they were under no illusions about the challenge ahead. “Even when I was with the Griquas, it was always tough against the Cheetahs, whether in Kimberley or in Bloem,” Liebenberg said.

“They’re definitely the in-form team at the moment. They’re playing unbelievable rugby and a fantastic brand of the game. But come Friday afternoon, we’ve got a challenge, and we need to front up.”

The Griquas have already beaten the Cheetahs three times this year – twice in the SA Cup and once in a warm-up match – and their settled forward pack has been a key factor.

“They’ve been together for a while, which makes a massive difference,” Liebenberg added. “They’re playing a very direct style at the moment, which shows confidence. If you look at last weekend, they were a dominant pack – they play well together, they’re well coached, and when they take the field, you can see they’re ready to go.”

Saturday: three big clashes

Saturday’s schedule opens with the Jukskei Derby between Fidelity ADT Lions and Vodacom Bulls in Johannesburg at 3pm.

That is followed by the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV hosting second-placed Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in Pietermaritzburg at 5.10pm.

The final game of the round kicks off at 7.20pm, when DHL Western Province face Airlink Pumas in Cape Town. Province will be desperate to break a five-game losing streak and secure their first win of the season.

What’s at stake

A win for the Cheetahs on Friday would all but guarantee them a home semi-final. For the Griquas, victory could push them into the top two and give them a shot at hosting their own play-off.

The picture will continue to shift in the final round as teams begin welcoming back players from United Rugby Championship duty. Next week, the Cheetahs face the Bulls in Pretoria, while the Griquas meet the Lions in Johannesburg.

And this means, with both teams in excellent form, this clash is expected to be a tight, high-stakes, edge-of-your-seat affair.

All four Currie Cup matches this weekend will be broadcast live on SuperSport.