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A crucial weekend
Posted Thu, 13 Mar 2008
The fourth round of fixtures in the 2008 Vodacom Cup sees a repeat of all four quarterfinal match-up's from last year's tournament with some interesting matches in store at the weekend.
For South Section pace-setters, the Free State Cheetahs and Western Province, there will be scores to settle against opposition that sent them packing in the first phase of the knockout stages in 2007.
The Cheetahs travel to Witbank on Friday to meet the Pumas whilst WP are away against the Platinum Leopards in Potchefstroom, also on Friday.
The men from the Cape will be most determined to make amends for their 14-30 loss against the Leopards at Newlands last season after they had reached the play-offs as the only unbeaten team in the competition.
Whilst WP has won three from three, the Leopards have been battling and have just one win in three starts.
On current form, WP will be fancied to get the win despite being on the road, but the unpredictability of the Leopards cannot be ignored.
Their last meeting in Potch in 2006 saw the home side triumph 35-28.
Current South Section leaders the Cheetahs crashed out of the competition last season after losing 31-33 against the Pumas in Bloemfontein.
As they prepare for battle in Witbank on Friday, they will be filled with confidence after a start that has seen then take a maximum 15 points from their opening three matches.
They are bursting with some exciting young talents and will provide a stern test for the Pumas, who started well but suffered their first defeat last week.
In two other re-matches from last year’s round of eight, North Section leaders the Blue Bulls host the Boland Cavaliers in Brits on Saturday and champions Griquas host the Mighty Elephants in Kimberley.
The Blue Bulls may not have things as easy as they did when they beat the Cavaliers 43-27 at Loftus in 2007.
The Bolanders have made a strong start and will go into the match unbeaten after three outings.
By contrast, the Bulls have been slow out of the blocks and were taken to the wire by the Elephants last week, eventually winning by a mere two points.
Playing away from Pretoria may suit the visitors and an interesting clash is in prospect.
Griquas beat the Elephants comfortably 53-19 at home last season to reach the last four and the outcome on Saturday is likely to be similar.
The champions were disappointing in going down against the Wildebeest last weekend and they will be determined to get their defence back on track as quickly as possible.
The Elephants were competitive at home last week but they are without a win in three matches to date and will struggle on the harder Kimberley surface and a very physical Griquas pack.
The weekend’s action kicks off with the clash between the Griffons and the KZN Wildebeest in Welkom on Friday.
It will be an evenly matched encounter between two teams who have won just one of their three matches to date and will be battling to stay in contention for quarterfinal places.
The Wildebeest will be buoyed by their win over champions Griquas at home last week but the hard and dry conditions will favour the hosts.
Another crucial clash at the weekend sees the Lions hosting the SWD Eagles at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Both sides are currently fourth in their respective Sections and will be on the hunt for valuable log points.
The young Lions team has a lot of promise and may be on the up after a good win over the Border Bulldogs last week.
The Eagles are a very capable side that will be encouraged by its performances to date.
They have an experienced pack and speedy outside backs that could derail the Lions at a stage when they need to stay on course.
The final match of the weekend pits the two bottom-placed teams in each Section against each other — the Valke against the Bulldogs at Reiger Park on Saturday.
It has been a woeful season so far for both, who are without a win in three matches and already well off the pace in the race for knockout places.
The Valke are favourites at home in what could well turn out to be a dog fight between two hungry and desperate adversaries.
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