There is little doubt, at least among the pundits, that the Sharks will advance to the Currie Cup Final this year.

The Sharks are expected to feast on the Lions in the first of the two semifinals, in Durban on Saturday.

However, not all experts agree as to who will win the other semifinal when the Blue Bulls host the Free State Cheetahs in Pretoria.

Springbok flank and former captain of the Blue Bulls Ruben Kruger puts his money on the Bulls and the Sharks to contest the Final.

However, former Cheetahs lock Corniel van Zyl, who is now playing for the Italian outfit Treviso, expects Free State to cause another upset. The Cheetahs have played in all the finals since 2004.

Former Blue Bulls coach Eugene van Wyk agrees with Van Zyl, but expects a nail-biting game at Loftus Versfeld.

Here's what the experts predict:

Ruben Kruger, Bok flank and former captain of the Blue Bulls:
Blue Bulls 17 Cheetahs 13
Sharks 23 Lions 18

Eugene van Wyk, former coach of the Blue Bulls and now CEO of the Griffons:
Cheetahs 24 Blue Bulls 21
Sharks 18 Lions 12

Corniel van Zyl, former lock of the Cheetahs, currently playing for Treviso:
Cheetahs 23 Blue Bulls 20
Sharks 28 Lions 16

Gary Stroebel, OFM radio personality:
Sharks 26 Lions 3
Cheetahs 28 Blue Bulls 26

JJ Harmse, Rapport newspaper:
Blue Bulls 29 Cheetahs 13
Sharks 22 Lions 18

Jacques van der Westhuizen, The Star:
Sharks 23 Lions 16
Blue Bulls 30 Cheetahs 15

Jan de Koning, rugby365.com:
Blue Bulls 30 Cheetahs 21
Sharks 35 Lions 15

Hendrik Cronjé, OFM sport:
Cheetahs 27 Blue Bulls 25
Sharks 19 Lions 18

365