Though they would have been disappointed to have been knocked out of the premier European Champions Cup competition last week, the Bulls would also have been relieved, with that result giving them an opportunity to keep their hopes alive in the Currie Cup this weekend.
After being handed a thumping 33-9 defeat by French side Toulous in their last 16 match, the Bulls crashed out of the Champions Cup. But with no quarter-final fixture in the European series this week, they will be able to field a full-strength team in their Currie Cup clash against last year’s runners-up Griquas in Pretoria on Friday.
Having lost their first four games in South Africa’s top-flight domestic competition, the log-bottom Pretoria outfit will be desperate for a win, and they will fancy their chances with a squad which is packed with star players in a season which has seen them struggling to juggle three simultaneous competitions including the United Rugby Championship.
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Similarly, the Cheetahs will be able to call on their best players this weekend after being eliminated from the European Challenge Cup in a 36-21 loss to Toulon in their last 16 game.
The Cheetahs are under less pressure than the Bulls, lying second on the Currie Cup log behind unbeaten defending champions the Pumas, but they too will be pleased to have a packed side for their match against the Lions at Ellis Park on Sunday. Their hosts are still involved in the Challenge Cup, putting the Lions in a precarious position against the visitors from the Free State.
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In this weekend’s other Currie Cup action, the Sharks will need to continue juggling players after qualifying for the Champions Cup quarterfinals, as they prepare for a tough battle in Durban on Friday against the Pumas, who have won four games on the trot.
Western Province must also rely on a second-string side once again, as they too will have the Stormers competing in the Champions Cup knockouts. Province will host Griffons in Cape Town on Saturday.
Currie Cup fixtures
Friday
Blue Bulls v Griquas, Loftus Versfeld (5pm)
Sharks v Pumas, Kings Park (7.05pm)
Saturday
Western Province v Griffons, Cape Town Stadium (8.30pm)
Sunday
Golden Lions v Cheetahs, Ellis Park (3pm)
