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Seven into four doesn't go...

The phrase, “it’s not over until the fat lady sings”, could prove appropriate this weekend with the final round of matches in the Super 14 league competition.

A number of permutations exist as the competition’s top seven teams vie for one of four coveted semi-final places. The outcome of some matches on Friday and early on Saturday could well mean that the four qualifiers will only be confirmed after the final league match of 2009, between the Sharks and the Bulls at the Absa Stadium in Durban at 18:05 on Saturday.

The top two South African teams face contrasting challenges in the tie. The Bulls, who are the log leaders, are looking to secure a home semi-final while the Sharks, who have slipped off the pace in recent weeks, are fighting to stay in the race to participate in a semi-final.

The two sides last met in Durban in the 2007 Vodacom Super 14 final, which was won 20-19 by the Bulls thanks to a last gasp try by wing Bryan Habana that broke the hearts of the Sharks fans on that day. When they met in Pretoria in 2008, the Sharks avenged that defeat by running out 29-15 winners.

Despite being away from home, many pundits will tip the Bulls to win against a Sharks team that has struggled with injuries and player suspension recently. The Bulls have also been hampered by the unavailability of players but they have managed to string together a run of four matches without defeat and will go into the match with confidence.

In contrast, the Sharks have won just one of their last four matches and have been beaten twice, albeit narrowly, at Durban’s “Shark Tank”. They are currently sixth on the log.

The fate of the two could also be determined by bonus points. If the Bulls lose but collect two bonus points they should be safe of securing a final-four place but could lose out on hosting a semi-final. If the Sharks lose but achieve two bonus points from the match, they could well advance to the playoffs if some of the other challengers all suffer defeats in their respective matches. Both teams could go through if the match ends in a draw, with the Sharks again having to rely on the outcome of other matches.

So what are the other permutations?

The second-placed Chiefs and fifth-placed Brumbies kick off the final weekend’s action in Hamilton on Friday (09:35 SA time).

The Chiefs need a single point from the match to make sure of their place while a win for the Brumbies will almost certainly secure their place in the semi-finals. The Chiefs will be favourites at home and if they win well, could end the league phase of the competition in pole position. A Brumbies loss will also keep the Sharks’ semi-final hopes alive.

The Hurricanes, who are currently in third place, have a reasonably simple assignment when they travel to Brisbane to face the Reds on Saturday (11:40). They trail the Bulls by three points and a bonus point victory for them will put more pressure on the Bulls to get a winning result in Durban. The Reds though will be looking to end a disappointing season with a flourish which could make the going tough for the visitors.

The Crusaders, who are in fourth place, have a tough away assignment against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday (09:35). The defending champions will be under even more pressure to defeat their New Zealand opponents if the Brumbies beat the Chiefs on Friday. A slip against the Blues could be fatal with three sides beneath the Crusaders all still in with a shout of making the playoffs.

If the Chiefs, Hurricanes and Crusaders all pick up  victories this weekend, the Sharks’ hopes of making the semifinals will disappear even without them having kicked a ball.

The Waratahs, like the Sharks, will be relying on the outcome of other matches to determine their fate. They are in seventh place, and if they can defeat the Lions in Johannesburg at 19:10 on Friday, they would only advance through to the semi-finals if the Hurricanes, Crusaders, Brumbies and Sharks all lose on Saturday.

The Lions are playing with confidence and could deliver a killer blow to the Waratahs’ hopes at Coca-Cola Park.

The weekend’s other two matches will have no bearing on determining the last four positions on the log. The Cheetahs and the Stormers will play for pride when they meet in Bloemfontein at 16:00 on Saturday while the Force will be wanting to end their Super 14 campaign on a high at home in Perth against the Highlanders, at 13:45 on Saturday.

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