The only team that is certain of hosting one of the four quarter-finals on the weekend of 24 and 25 April is the Sharks XV who thrashed the Mighty Elephants 68-8 in Durban on Saturday to open up an unassailable eight point lead in the South Section. It was the Sharks' sixth successive win.
Any one of the other three teams that have qualified from the South Section could host a quarter-final after an interesting weekend of results. The SWD Eagles strengthened their hopes with a well-deserved 28-19 win over Vodacom Western Province in George on Friday. The result moves the Eagles from fourth to second in the log with their final match being away to the Border Bulldogs.
Western Province remained in fourth place behind Free State and the forthcoming clash between these two in Cape Town on April 17 will take on added significance with possible home status in the playoffs at stake. Free State had a bye at the weekend.
The weekend's other clash in the South Section was of academic interest with the Border Bulldogs coming from behind to beat the Boland Kavaliers 27-18 in Wellington on Saturday. The win will ensure that the Bulldogs end fifth in the standings.
An interesting scenario has developed in the North section after the Platinum Leopards and the Vodacom Blue Bulls drew 22-22 in Potch on Friday. The result throws things wide open with three sides now in contention to host playoff matches.
The Leopards remain top but they have played all six matches and only lead the Blue Bulls by two points. GWK Griquas, who scored a vital 37-31 win over the Pumas at the weekend, are three points behind the leaders with one league match still to play. If the Blue Bulls beat the Pumas and Griquas beat the Griffons when the action resumes in a fortnight, the Leopards will slip to third and face an away quarter-final.
The Pumas' defeat at the weekend puts their playoff participation at risk. The Golden Lions' 53-32 win over the Griffons on Friday has brought them into contention as they now trail the Pumas by three points with one match to play. The Lions' final match is at home to the Valke.
The Pumas will have enough motivation when they host the Blue Bulls on 18 April, which could add take the North Section down to the wire.
