The SuperSport Rugby Challenge comes to a head tomorrow when the semifinals of the competition are battled out at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
Two huge matches highlight the days play with the Xerox Golden Lions going up against the Tafel Lager Griquas and DHL Western Province taking on the Vodacom Blue Bulls.
It is a true reflection of the competition that the top four teams made the semifinals, with the Griquas, Lions and Western Province all finishing as pool winners and the Bulls as the best second-placed team.
The Lions and Griquas should be a cracking encounter, with the Lions probably considered slight favourites following the form they have show so far in the competition.
They come into the game off the back of a 43-32 quarterfinal victory over the Pumas and having lost just once so far in the tournament, they will be eager to pick up another win to progress on to the final.
The Griquas will however prove a stiff challenge and having already picked up a number of big scalps, will be confident of challenging the Lions.
They have already beaten the Sharks, Free State and head into the match off an entertaining 73-41 win over the Eastern Province Kings.
“Over the last two weeks we have been building nicely and the guys are excited to have a go against the Lions on Sunday,” said Griquas coach Peter Engledow.
“Coming from Kimberley we love playing at the coast and the guys are really looking forward to playing at the Sisa Dukashe.
“Our aspirations are to make the final and our goal from the outset has been to lift this trophy. The Lions are a very good side and we are ready for them.”
In the second semi-final Western Province will be considered the clear favourites, having been the form team so far, with them being the only unbeaten side left in the competition.
Province picked up 39 out of a possible 40 points in the pool stage and then shut out Free State in the quarterfinal, claiming a dominant 26-0 win and will head into the Bulls game with a lot of confidence.
“The Bulls is always a massive match. We are in a good place at the moment and the guys are excited for the clash,” said Western Province coach John Dobson.
Having played in the festival at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium last month, Province will also have a knowledge of the ground which could come in handy.
“We had such a good experience when we played against Border in Mdantsane. To play in front of 15 000 people is an amazing experience and we are really looking forward to being back,” admitted Dobson.
“We have played here before and know the ground. It is a great surface to play on so we have a bit of an advantage and we hope the crowd will get behind us.”
The Bulls will be aiming to claim what would be an upset win as they have already lost three games in the competition and just edged out the Sharks 23-18 in tight quarterfinal encounter.
However coming up against one of their biggest rivals should be enough to raise any team’s game and the Bulls should be no different on the day.
They will also be captained by former Border schools’ star Abongile Nonkontwana.
The days action will kick off with a classic club match between MPM Old Selbornians and Swallows at 10am.
The Lions and Griquas match follows after at 12.45pm and the Western Province v Bulls game concludes the days play, kicking off at 3pm. All three games are live on SS1.
Tickets for the day are free and can be picked up at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium from early tomorrow morning.
Sisa sets a challenge: Huge matches for SuperSport Challenge semis
Two huge matches highlight the days play with the Xerox Golden Lions going up against the Tafel Lager Griquas and DHL Western Province taking on the Vodacom Blue Bulls.
It is a true reflection of the competition that the top four teams made the semifinals, with the Griquas, Lions and Western Province all finishing as pool winners and the Bulls as the best second-placed team.
The Lions and Griquas should be a cracking encounter, with the Lions probably considered slight favourites following the form they have show so far in the competition.
They come into the game off the back of a 43-32 quarterfinal victory over the Pumas and having lost just once so far in the tournament, they will be eager to pick up another win to progress on to the final.
The Griquas will however prove a stiff challenge and having already picked up a number of big scalps, will be confident of challenging the Lions.
They have already beaten the Sharks, Free State and head into the match off an entertaining 73-41 win over the Eastern Province Kings.
“Over the last two weeks we have been building nicely and the guys are excited to have a go against the Lions on Sunday,” said Griquas coach Peter Engledow.
“Coming from Kimberley we love playing at the coast and the guys are really looking forward to playing at the Sisa Dukashe.
“Our aspirations are to make the final and our goal from the outset has been to lift this trophy. The Lions are a very good side and we are ready for them.”
In the second semi-final Western Province will be considered the clear favourites, having been the form team so far, with them being the only unbeaten side left in the competition.
Province picked up 39 out of a possible 40 points in the pool stage and then shut out Free State in the quarterfinal, claiming a dominant 26-0 win and will head into the Bulls game with a lot of confidence.
“The Bulls is always a massive match. We are in a good place at the moment and the guys are excited for the clash,” said Western Province coach John Dobson.
Having played in the festival at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium last month, Province will also have a knowledge of the ground which could come in handy.
“We had such a good experience when we played against Border in Mdantsane. To play in front of 15 000 people is an amazing experience and we are really looking forward to being back,” admitted Dobson.
“We have played here before and know the ground. It is a great surface to play on so we have a bit of an advantage and we hope the crowd will get behind us.”
The Bulls will be aiming to claim what would be an upset win as they have already lost three games in the competition and just edged out the Sharks 23-18 in tight quarterfinal encounter.
However coming up against one of their biggest rivals should be enough to raise any team’s game and the Bulls should be no different on the day.
They will also be captained by former Border schools’ star Abongile Nonkontwana.
The days action will kick off with a classic club match between MPM Old Selbornians and Swallows at 10am.
The Lions and Griquas match follows after at 12.45pm and the Western Province v Bulls game concludes the days play, kicking off at 3pm. All three games are live on SS1.
Tickets for the day are free and can be picked up at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium from early tomorrow morning.
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