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Cavaliers could be the surprise
24/04/2008 10:55 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The Boland Cavaliers look like the side most likely to surprise when the Vodacom Cup semi-finals take place on Friday and Saturday.
They play the Free State, who were in scintillating form and dominated the southern section log for the first four rounds before they were comprehensively beaten for two weeks running with half-centuries being scored against them.
Then they put 80 points past the hapless Griffons - and also selected an impressive side for this weekend's play-off to advance to the semis. Whether that will be good enough remains to be seen.
The Cavaliers are a very good side and ended their run with a good victory over the Lions and a thrashing of the Pumas and Griffons included in their last four matches.
It is the Cavaliers' loss against Griquas that will inspire the Free State who boast three Sevens Springboks and four players with Super 14 experience for the quarter-final.
Confidence
Defending champions Griquas won't have it their own way against the Leopards in a match to be played as a curtain-raiser to the Cheetahs-Hurricane Super 14 encounter.
However, the home ground advantage and a confidence after their solid campaign should be enough to see Griquas through against a side that will be with without captain Andre Swanepoel.
Western Province drew their last match against Griquas and beat what was effectively a 14-man Blue Bulls side the week before. There is much talent, but WP has not really been convincing, despite winning the southern section log.
The Wildebeest, who have been inconsistent, could surprise if they put it all together with a side filled with experience and young talent.
At Loftus on Friday night, the Blue Bulls should beat their neighbours, the Xerox Lions, who are slowly building and should be a real factor next year.
The side includes four players with Super 14 experience, a number of SA Under-20 players, and Springbok Hilton Lobberts on the bench.
Much will depend on the halfbacks, Burton Francis and JP Joubert to gel the experience and youth of a team that has been prepared to run it wide all season.
The weekend's fixtures are (home sides first): Friday: Free State v Boland Cavaliers, 17:00; Blue Bulls v Lions, 18:00.
Saturday: Griquas v Leopards, 13:00; WP v Wildebeest, 15:00.
- SAPA
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