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Cape Town - The race for Currie Cup semi-final places is in full swing and this weekend is set to have a major say in who makes the last four.
It is still wide open, and only the table-topping and undefeated Free State Cheetahs can rest easy in the knowledge that they will be a part of the semi-finals.
The Sharks, currently in second, have no such luxury.
The Durbanites currently have 25 points following this past weekend's bonus-point win over the EP Kings, but they have a bye this weekend as the other sides in the competition play catch-up.
The Blue Bulls are currently third on 25 points while they also have one match left this season, but they will move comfortably ahead of the Sharks with a win against the Boland Cavaliers on Friday.
The Sharks have a tough assignment on the final weekend as they travel to Ellis Park for a clash against the defending champion Golden Lions.
The Lions, currently on just 17 points, are expected to pick up maximum points against the EP Kings this weekend.
That would take them to 22, making their final day clash against the Sharks a 'make or break'.
Western Province, meanwhile, travel to Griquas this weekend with their season very much on the line.
Griquas are currently on 19 points with WP on 18.
With WP hosting the Cavaliers on the final day of the season, victory against Griquas will almost certainly be enough to see them move into the playoffs.
It means that the Sharks, currently sitting just four points off the top of the table, could miss out on the playoffs completely if they lose to the Lions and all of the other matches go according to script.
A summary of the playoff picture (remaining fixtures in brackets):
1. Cheetahs - P6, Pts 29 (Pumas away, Griquas home)
2. Sharks - P7, Pts 25 (Lions away)
3. Blue Bulls - P7, Pts 25 (Cavaliers away)
4. Griquas - P6, Pts 19 (WP home, Cheetahs away)
5. WP - P6, Pts 18 (Griquas away, Cavaliers home)
6. Golden Lions - P6, Pts 17 (Kings away, Sharks home)
