Defining weekend for the Xerox Lions when they play Free State

October 1 - The Absa Currie Cup clash with the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday is the defining match of the season so far for the Xerox Lions. A win could see them into the semi-final; a loss will almost certainly spell the end of their Currie Cup dreams that have increasingly grown after their winning streak of six from seven matches. Of course, while this fate will largely determine the fate of the two sides doing battle in Bloemfontein, the other matches this and next weekend could also have an important effect on the log and the four play-off berths. It is a weekend where not only semi-final places are being sought by six teams – although Griquas are very much up against it. Home ground advantage is still mathematically possible for five of the sides. Hosts Free State are currently in fourth position on the log with 37 points, only two points clear of the Lions who are in fifth place on 35. The Lions will play their natural game. The Free State will try to subdue them up front and will no doubt use the boot of flyhalf Louis Strydom to keep them on attack from where his lethal boot must do the damage. The Lions won the previous encounter against the Free State 930-26) and have grown in confidence and in stature. They are also a much better side. It will be interesting to see whether they can win away, and with the spirit and confidence in the side it would be a fool who would bet against it. **  The Blue Bulls host Western Province in this traditional north/south derby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 15h00. The defending champions are currently in third position on the log with 38 points and are five points behind their Cape opponents who are in second place with 43. Victory for Province in Pretoria will confirm their status as one of the two sides who will host an Currie Cup Premier Division semi-final next month. However, if the  Blue Bulls can defeat  WP and achieve maximum points on Saturday, and at the same time deny Allister Coetzee’s troops any log points at Loftus Versfeld, they will end the weekend level on log points with  WP (43). Frans Ludeke’s men, who will be at full-strength for their final league game of the season against the GWK Griquas next weekend, will fancy their chances of ending the season in second position on the log as Province will have to defeat The Sharks at Newlands to retain their second place status at the end of the league phase of the competition. The Blue Bulls will also claim the favourites tag in preparation of Saturday clash against WP as they have regularly defeated their Cape opponents during recent clashes at Loftus Versfeld.  WP have only recorded one victory in Pretoria since 2005 when they secured a 15-10 win over the  Blue Bulls back in 2006. **  The Sharks could also book themselves a home semi-final by returning to winning ways this Friday when they host the Platinum Leopards in Durban at 19h10. The hosts who are currently in first position on the Currie Cup log with 47 points conceded their third defeat in the 2010 competition last Saturday following their 22-20 loss to the Xerox Lions in Johannesburg. Only WP and the Blue Bulls could mathematically relegate The Sharks from their current position on the log and deny them the opportunity of hosting a home semi-final. **  The Durban side must defeat the Platinum Leopards to secure their status as one of the two sides that will host a final-four playoff match in October. The Sharks have enjoyed a good run of form against their Friday night opponents during recent seasons after winning their last four encounters since 2005. **  The GWK Griquas could mathematically still qualify for the semi-finals but will still have to hope that other results go their way in order to finish the season in the top four. The Kimberley side is in Witbank for their clash against the Barloworld Toyota Pumas on Saturday at 15h00 and will have to achieve maximum points from this fixture to keep their faint chances alive. Currie Cup semi-final contenders – remaining fixtures: The Sharks: Platinum Leopards (home), Western Province (away) Western Province:  Blue Bulls (away), The Sharks (home) Blue Bulls:  Western Province (home), GWK Griquas (away) Free State Cheetahs: Xerox Lions (home), Platinum Leopards (away) Xerox Lions:  Free State Cheetahs (away), Barloworld Toyota Pumas (home) GWK Griquas: Barloworld Toyota Pumas (away),  Blue Bulls (home)