CURRIE CUP: Road to the play-offs
SPOTLIGHT: This truncated version of the Currie Cup, with its erratic fixture list, has thrown up an intriguing run-in to the play-offs.
Red-hot favourites and defending champions Western Province, along with the Sharks, are the only unbeaten teams.
Yet, as a result of the mare's nest that the 2018 version of South Africa's premier competition has become, those two are only third and fourth on the standings.
In this chance-medley, they have played only three matches each, with the table-topping Blue Bulls and bottom-placed Free State Cheetahs having played five of their six regular-season games.'
The Sharks and Province both had a bye in Round One.
Province had another bye in Round Four and the Sharks had their second bye in Round Five
To add to the lottery, the Bulls will have both their byes in Rounds Six and Seven, while the only match of Round Seven is WP hosting the Sharks.
It may seem, on the current standings, that the top four teams have been settled - WP, Sharks, Bulls and Lions.
However, a lot can happen in the last three weeks, with some key matches - the Sharks hosting the Lions this week and the Bulls hosting WP in the final week - still to take place.
A quick glance suggests that the final top four will be: Western Province, Sharks, Lions and Blue Bulls.
Jan de Koning takes a closer look at what can transpire in the final three weeks!
Blue Bulls:
Current position: First
Best possible finish: First
Worst possible finish: Fourth
Remaining match:
Versus Western Province at home
Golden Lions
Current position: Second
Best possible finish: First
Worst possible finish: Fourth
Remaining matches:
Versus Sharks away
Versus Pumas away
Western Province
Current position: Third
Best possible finish: First
Worst possible finish: Fifth
Remaining matches:
Versus Griquas at home
Versus Sharks at home
Versus Blue Bulls away
Sharks
Current position: Fourth
Best possible finish: First
Worst possible finish: Fifth
Remaining matches:
Versus Golden Lions at home
Versus Western Province away
Versus Griquas away
Griquas
Current position: Fifth
Best possible finish: Third
Worst possible finish: Sixth
Remaining matches:
Versus Western Province away
Versus Sharks at home
Pumas
Current position: Sixth
Best possible finish: Fifth
Worst possible finish: Seventh
Remaining matches:
Versus Free State Cheetahs away
Versus Golden Lions at home
Free State Cheetahs
Current position: Seventh
Best possible finish: Seventh
Worst possible finish: Seventh
Remaining match:
Versus Pumas at home
By Jan de Koning
@king365ed
@rugby365com