Currie Cup: Road to the playoffs

Currie Cup: Road to the playoffs

ANALYSIS: To appropriate a popularized colloquialism: 'It is High Noon at the OK Corral.'

With just two rounds before the play-offs, the Currie Cup has become a six-team 'shoot-out'.

The Sharks, topping the standings with 43 points, is the only team that has already secured their place in the play-offs.

However, they can finish anywhere from first to third.

Given the remaining games, a top-two finish is probable.

The only team definitely out of the running is the newcomers, the Griffons.

The Cheetahs, second on 41 points, need just one point from their last two matches to book their place in the semifinals.

They face two teams in a desperate scramble for the three remaining play-off places.

From here on it gets manic!

The defending-champion Pumas (36), Western Province (31), Lions (31), Bulls (31) and Griquas (30) are all in a mad dash for places.

And the roster in the last fortnight ensures almost every game will have an impact on the final play-off positions.

Below, @king365ed looks at all the scenarios in the last two Currie Cup League action rounds.

1 Sharks 43

Best finish: First

Worst finish: Third

Remaining matches

Sharks v Lions

Western Province v Sharks

2 Cheetahs 41

Best finish: First

Worst finish: Fifth

Remaining matches

Pumas v Cheetahs

Blue Bulls v Cheetahs

3 Pumas 36

Best finish: First

Worst finish: Seventh

Remaining matches

Pumas v Cheetahs

Griquas v Pumas

4 Western Province 31

Best finish: Third

Worst finish: Seventh

Remaining matches

Griquas v Western Province

Western Province v Sharks

5 Lions 31

Best finish: Third

Worst finish: Seventh

Remaining matches

Sharks v Lions

Griffons v Lions

6 Bulls 31

Best finish: Third

Worst finish: Seventh

Remaining matches

Bulls v Griffons

Bulls v Cheetahs

7 Griquas 30

Best finish: Third

Worst finish: Seventh

Remaining matches

Griquas v Western Province

Griquas v Pumas

8 Griffons 9

Best finish: Eight

Worst finish: Eight

Remaining matches

Bulls v Griffons

Griffons v Lions

@king365ed

@rugby365com