Semi-final stakes high as Griquas face Lions in Joburg

THE RACE for the 2025 Carling Currie Cup semi-finals comes down to the final round this weekend, with five teams fighting for four places and just five log points separating them.

For the Suzuki Griquas, the focus is clear: beat the Fidelity ADT Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday evening and a home semi-final is secured, with all the Suzuki Park ‘gees’ that brings in its wake.

The Kimberley side have been in outstanding form, stringing together five consecutive victories since their opening-round defeat, including notable wins over the Bulls and Cheetahs. Sitting on top of the log, they hold their fate firmly in their own hands. A win will ensure a semi-final in Kimberley; a loss without bonus points could see them slip as low as fourth if other results go against them.

The Lions, in third spot, are also under pressure. A bonus-point win would keep them in contention for a home semi-final if Boland stumble in Cape Town. But a defeat, combined with a Pumas victory on Friday, could see them fall out of the play-off race altogether. 

As far as the form book goes, Griquas hold a slight edge in recent head-to-heads, winning three of the last five, though they are still searching for their first win at Ellis Park in three visits.

Elsewhere, results have the potential to shape the Griquas’ path. On Friday night the Airlink Pumas visit the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in Durban. The Mpumalanga outfit sit fifth with 20 points, one off the play-off spots, and will view this as a prime opportunity to climb into the top four. A bonus-point win would heap pressure on both the Lions and Cheetahs ahead of Saturday’s fixtures.

The Western Cape derby between DHL Western Province and the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers follows on Saturday afternoon. Boland, currently second on 23 points, can seal a home semi-final with a win. A slip, however, could open the door for the Lions or Cheetahs to leapfrog them.

The final game of the round sees the Vodacom Bulls face the Toyota Cheetahs in Pretoria. The Bulls are out of contention, while the Cheetahs are still in the mix despite a heavy loss to Griquas last week. By kick-off they will know exactly what is required to secure a home semi-final.

With so much at stake, Griquas cannot allow their focus to drift from the visit to Ellis Park, as this is ultimately the defining clash of the weekend — and possibly the competition for them.