Things to look out for in this weekend’s Currie Cup action

This weekend’s Currie Cup action quietly continues with three matches on three different days.

It’s generally an undistinguished schedule with perhaps the Western Province and Lions battle on Friday evening at Newlands being the highlight.

Also read: Embattled Bulls finally hit the target with Marnitz Boshoff

But it was also be interesting to see how the Griquas-Pumas derby turns out.

Here are the things to look out for.

Lions are on a slippery slope

Swys de Bruin’s troops make the trek down to the Cape with what looks now a fairly settled and even strong squad.

But, with two defeats from three matches, the Lions are off the pace in terms of the overall log.

Ironically, despite their Super Rugby reinforcements, there’s a feeling that this team needs to still gel.

That’s down to the Lions hardly using their fringe players during the Super Rugby campaign, meaning there’s a bit of a divide.

This doesn’t mean the squad is inferior in quality, just not used to playing with each other regularly.

Time is running out for that to happen.

Which Province side will turn up?

Much like the Lions, John Dobson’s Western Province have a solid look about them.

They’ve stated numerous times before that the plan is to follow a similar roadmap to success like their opponents this weekend and that means they want to play the attacking rugby they showed at times against the Blue Bulls last week.

However, this year’s Super Rugby derby was a hammer blow to the Capetonians campaign.

The Lions came down, tackled like demons and took their chances while the Stormers had all the ball and lost.

Is that going to determine some of their thinking?

Will they play with a more balanced approach?

It would certainly betray the overall vision.

Springboks need to spark Cheetahs

It’s just two weeks to go before the Cheetahs begin their new journey in the Pro14.

There’s excitement but also trepidation, especially since their depth still looks thin.

Last week’s unexpected loss to Griquas did little to quell those fears, so the Free Staters will hope normal service will resume against the Blue Bulls on Saturday.

They have Springboks Francois Venter and Oupa Mohoje back but they can’t afford the hangover from last week to be felt.

Two successive losses is the last thing they need before the European adventure.

Good times in Kimberley

Griquas, those perennial overachievers, suddenly can play themselves into a reasonably comfortable spot on the log if they beat the Pumas on Sunday.

Proper investment and some shrewd recruitment has proved a great combination for the Peacock Blues, who are playing a fine brand of rugby.

They also face opponents who’ve stagnated for years now after being such a gritty force a few years ago.

Fixtures: Western Province v Lions (Friday, 7 pm); Blue Bulls v Free State Cheetahs (Saturday, 2.05 pm); Griquas v Pumas (Sunday, 2.30 pm)

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