DHL Western Province’s 45-14 win against the Phakisa Pumas at DHL Newlands on Friday has put them firmly back in the Currie Cup play-off mix.
Currently in fourth position on the standings, DHL Western Province have away games against Tafel Lager Griquas and Toyota Free State Cheetahs ahead of the semifinals, both of whom are above them on the log. That means that if other results go their way, DHL Western Province could still top the standings at the end of the league phase of the season.
The Currie Cup saw a big reshuffle of log positions after Round Five delivered a dramatic weekend of action and results.
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There are just three log points between the top four teams, with five teams in contention for play-off places, which means that the competition is wide open heading into the final two rounds of league action.
DHL Western Province’s seven-try win at DHL Newlands saw them move into fourth position on the log and right back in contention.
The Xerox Golden Lions suffered a nail-biting first defeat at the hands of the visiting Vodacom Blue Bulls at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday afternoon (31-26), but managed to move into top spot of the log, albeit to a better points’ difference than Tafel Lager Griquas, who had a bye.
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The defeat of the Joburg pride means that all teams have tasted defeat so far in the tournament, with the gut-wrenching 27-20 defeat of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs to the Cell C Sharks in Durban consigning them to two defeats in a row.
The Bloemfontein side hung onto third place on the log, but with only two rounds of regular play left they would want to change their fortunes and pick up momentum as the play-offs loom.
The Durbanites had to win to keep their play-off hopes intact and did so with a last minute score, while the Vodacom Blue Bulls also moved past the Phakisa Pumas, who propped up the log.
The Nelspruit side travelled to Cape Town on Friday, where a Bok-laden DHL Western Province side had too much to offer and won on a canter. The bonus-point win by the Cape side moved them into fourth place on the log and right back in contention.