Amidst all the drama and action of the Tri-Nations, the Currie Cup has managed to secure an sizable chunk of the spotlight for itself.

Obviously there is not as much attention on the domestic scene as there are on the World Cup champion and British and Irish Lions slayer Springboks, but there is something special about the Currie Cup that is now into Week Three.

Blue Bulls captain Derick Kuün feels it is because the tournament is so competitive.

Unfancied Griquas, one of only two unbeaten teams top the standings with a full-house of 10 points.

The Bulls, also unbeaten, are on eight points - while the Sharks, Golden Lions, Western Province and Boland Cavaliers have one win each.

The Cheetahs and the Leopards, newcomers to the Premier Division, are still looking for their first win.

But it is what has happened in the first two weeks that has made the public sit up and take note, said Kuün.

"A year or two ago you would only have a few teams in contention," Kuün told this website, adding: "Now Griquas have a very good team and lead the competition, Boland are also playing good rugby and they can certainly pull off a few surprises.

"The Sharks and Bulls are without a substantial number of Springboks, which is levelling the playing field for all the teams."

The Bulls captain feels there are "no real favourites" at the moment.

"The Sharks are the defending champions, but there are no real favourites and it is all about who want to stamp their authority on the games at the weekend."

And Round Three promises to produce as much drama as the first two weeks.

It starts with the defending champion Sharks hosting the Bulls in Durban on Friday, while WP host the Cheetahs at Newlands.

Saturday have the table-topping Griquas looking to continue their unbeaten run against the Cavaliers in Kimberley, while the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace ion Phokeng host a cat-fight between the Leopards and the Lions.

We look at all the Round Three action!

Friday, July 24:

The Sharks v Blue Bulls
(Absa Stadium, Durban - Kick-off: 18.00, 16.00 GMT)

In what is a repeat of the 2008 Currie Cup Final - obviously minus about 20 Springboks, some of whom are injured - the Sharks will engage the Bulls in a game that will be nothing short of brutal.

"It is going to be a very tough, physical game," said Bulls captain Derick Kuün

The Sharks, following their first-round loss to WP, bounced back by smashing the Cavaliers last week.

But with the Bulls undefeated, the hosts were quick to latch onto the underdog tag.

However, Sharks coach John Plumtree also admitted that his team's seven-tries-to-one victory over Boland last week will make the Bulls sit up and take notice.

"We'll definitely take confidence out of the victory," Plumtree said on the Sharks website.

"The Blue Bulls will say: 'hold on, this group can play'.

"They are going to be a totally different kettle of fish though," Plumtree said of the Bulls, adding: "They can still put together a big pack despite missing some guys and they have a very strong midfield.

"They're probably in better shape than us, our front row is depleted, most of the pack is gone, but if our set piece can front up, that will be great. If we have a launching pad, who knows what will happen?"

The Bulls made no secret of the fact that victory in Durban is non-negotiable - despite being early in the season and it being an away game.

"The win is very important for us in terms of maintaining our momentum," Kuün said.

"Just one defeat and you can be under tremendous pressure.

"If we lose on Friday we can easily drop from second to fifth on the standings - that will be the pressure right back on us.

"This first part of the season we have three very tough games [Golden Lions, Western Province and Sharks], so if we can win this one we can look ahead with great confidence."

iafricaPrediction: As is most game between the Blue Bulls and the Sharks, it is going to be brutal. The Bulls do seem to have a bit more experience in key areas and the Sharks are severely depleted in two key departments - the front row and at flyhalf. This is what will give the Bulls the edge and they may well sneak a win - the Bulls by 10 points or less.

Teams:

The Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche (captain), 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Andries Strauss, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Monty Dumond, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Albert van den Berg, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Michael Rhodes, 19 Justin Downey, 20 Ross Cronjé, 21 Len Olivier, 22 Luzuko Vulindlu.

Blue Bulls: 15 Tiger Mangweni, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Dries van Schalkwyk, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Jacques Burger, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuün (captain), 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Jaco Engels, 19 Fudge Mabeta, 20 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 21 Marnitz Boshoff, 22 Marius Delport.

Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant Referees: Tiaan Jonker, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Michael Cupido

Western Province v Free State Cheetahs
(Newlands, Cape Town - Kick-off: 19.00, 17.00 GMT)

The Cheetahs, just as they did in the Super 14, look particularly vulnerable when they are without a couple of key players - in this case Springbok loose forwards Juan Smith and Heinrich Brüssow.

However, WP coach Allister Coetzee believes they remain a competitive and dangerous outfit, despite defeats against Griquas and the Lions in their opening rounds.

Not even the fact that the Cheetahs failed to push home the advantage after leading 19-0 to the Lions (being outscored by 31-3 in the last 50 minutes of the match) will convince Coetzee that the Cheetahs are easy pickings.

"They certainly do bring different challenges and you have to be aware of what their strengths are and how to counter them," said Coetzee, when discussing the opposition.

"They have plenty of pace out wide and they enjoy playing the ball wide on attack," the WP mentor said.

"They also have good, solid defensive structures. That is why it will be so important to show patience and retain possession when we have the ball.

"They also put a lot of pressure on your set pieces, so we have to be on the mark there - we are doing well with our set pieces, but we have to build on that now."

But there is no doubt the heat is on the Cheetahs on Friday.

The Bloemfontein team, in failing to get a win in the opening rounds, have also not recorded any log points - a very ordinary start from a team that appeared in four of the last five finals and won it three times.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské is looking for his team to find their try-scoring form and has named a backline with three stars - Robert Ebersohn, Lionel Mapoe and Danwel Demas - who were part of the successful Springboks Seven team that were crowned International Rugby Board World Sevens Series Champions for 2008/09.

Mapoe's inclusion though may come as a surprise with Drotské selecting the 21-year-old ahead of Springbok wing Jongi Nokwe.

The Cheetahs coach believes that Mapoe would be able to counter the possibility of Province implementing a kicking game at Newlands with their flyhalf Willem de Waal.

"We selected Lionel because he is very good under the high ball," Drotské said.

"Western Province kicks twice as much more than any other team in the Currie Cup especially with Willem in their side. If we want to have a say in the competition playoffs later this year, we'll have to quickly start getting some victories under our belt. Hopefully it starts on Friday."

iafricaPrediction: It is very difficult to see the floundering Cheetahs upstaging an impressive and accomplished WP outfit. It is possible, but unlikely. We see the Province pack continuing its dominant form and the Cheetahs will have no answer to the marauding WP forwards. WP to win by more than 10 points.

Teams:

Western Province: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Peter Grant, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Pieter Louw, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Anton van Zyl, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Brock Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JD Moller, 18 Hilton Lobberts, 19 Pieter Myburgh, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Morgan Newman, 22 Frikkie Welsh.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corné Uys, 11 Lionel Mapoe, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Tertius Carse, 8 Francois Uys, 7 Hendro Scholtz (captain), 6 Johan Wessels, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Frans Viljoen, 19 Lucas Floors, 20 JP Joubert, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 JW Jonker.

Referee: Phillip Bosch
Assistant Referees: François Veldsman, Ben Crouse
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

Saturday, July 25:

Griquas v Boland Cavaliers
(GWK Stadium, Kimberley - Kick-off: 14.30, 12.30 GMT)

It is refreshing to see a team like Griquas, with a full-house of 10 points, at the top of the Currie Cup standings.

They may have scored one of those wins against the newcomers of the competition, the Leopards. However, to take five points against the Cheetahs and prevent them from getting any points take some doing.

The Boland Cavaliers, after starting their season with a win over the Leopards, came unstuck badly against the Sharks last week and they will certainly be the underdogs in Kimberley.

However, complacency could easily level the playing field.

"We need to keep our feet firmly on the ground and focus on the Cavaliers, and nothing else," Griquas coach Dawie Theron said.

"While we are the current log-leaders, we must remember that we've only played two matches, like every other side.

"All I can hope for is that we continue the momentum further into the competition.

"This is a home game and nobody plans to lose their home matches."

Boland coach Deon Davids was stating the obvious when he said his team was "not at their best" against the Sharks last week.

But it is not going to get any easier for them either.

Davids said he was expecting a tough contest from the home side.

"However, we will concentrate on our style of play this week instead of concentrating on our opponents too much," he said.

iafricaPrediction: Griquas have class all over the park. Players like Bjorn Basson, Naas Olivier, Sarel Pretorius and Jonathan Mokuena all have Super 14 experience. Others like the highly rate Wilmaure Louw, Barry Geel, Jacques Lombaard and Ryno Barnes are not that far off Super Rugby standards either. Boland can't match that quality and it will show on the scoreboard. Griquas to win by 15 points or more.

Teams:

Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Dewald Pretorius, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Jonathan Mokuena, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Rohan Kitchoff, 5 Jacques Lombaard, 4 Brendon Snyman, 3 Ruaan du Preez, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Albertus Buckle.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Nolan Clarke, 19 Sean Plaatjies, 20 Dougie Hellmuth, 21 Hanno Coetzee, 22 Gavin Passens.

Boland: 15 Mark Harris, 14 Deon Scholtz, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Dewey Swartbooi (captain), 11 Alvin Hugo, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Carel Hoffman, 7 Wendall Wehr, 6 Angelo Brinkhuys, 5 Rito Hlungwane, 4 Grant le Roux, 3 Kobie Adriaanse, 2 Clemen Lewis, 1 Janro van Niekerk.
Replacements: 16 Conrad Burke, 17 Jané du Toit, 18 Frikkie Spies, 19 Nico Esterhuyse, 20 Zolani Mofu, 21 Hein Myburgh, 22 Justin Peach.

Referee: Willie Roos
Assistant Referees: Phillip Bosch, Stefan Breytenbach

Leopards v Golden Lions
(Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Phokeng - Kick-off: 15.00, 13.00 GMT)

You would not expect too many people to make the trip to the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng (Rustenburg), considering that the home team has hardly set the world alight, the visitors are sending an experimental (B-type) team and there's a Tri-Nations Test in Bloemfontein that will be live on television.

This game would have struggled to fill a club ground, let along an international venue that will host World Cup soccer matches next year.

But the few souls who do bother to travel may well be entertained with some exciting rugby.

The Lions come off a stunning 31-22 come-from-behind victory over the Free State Cheetahs - a game in which they outscored their opponents by 31-3 in the final 50 minutes.

However, the Leopards, who are currently at the bottom of the Premier Division log, will be determined to get that elusive first win of the season.

The other factor is the number of changes to the Lions team - eight in all.

Lions coach Hans Coetzee said he was "hopeful" that the changes would not disrupt his team too much.

Moving Earl Rose from fullback to flyhalf, Alwyn Hollenbach from wing to fullback, Henno Mentz back on the wing, Rouan Cloete at centre, Derick Minnie in place of captain Cobus Grobbelaar at flank, Johan Snyman at lock, Kevin Buys (tighthead) and Wayne Swart (loosehead) at prop could indeed be disruptive.

But Coetzee sees it as an opportunity to test some new players in a game his team is expected to win at a canter.

"I was hesitant to make so many changes, but in the backline the players are now all in their preferred positions. The changes up front are related to injuries - players carrying niggles and in need of a break."

iafrica Prediction: It is a game in which the Lions can lose it, rather than the Leopards win it. Despite the changes - and they do hold the risk of being too disruptive - the Lions selection still looks far too powerful. The Lions to win by 15 points.

Teams:

Leopards: 15 Jean Tiedt, 14 Jovan Bowles, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Japie Nel, 11 Jan van Zyl, 10 Clayton Durand, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 RW Kember, 7 Bennie Adams, 6 Wilhelm Koch (captain), 5 Anthonie Gronum, 4 Rynard Landman, 3 Philip Lemmer, 2 Gavin Williamson, 1 Nardus Lombard.
Replacements: 16 Pellow van der Westhuizen, 17 Os van der Walt, 18 Rudi Mathee, 19 Christo van Niekerk, 20 Berndt Theissinger, 21 Muhammed Samaai, 22 Danie Dames.

Lions: 15 Alwyn Hollenbach, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Rouan Cloete, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts (captain), 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Johan Snyman, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 Wayne Swart.
Replacements: 16 Torrie Meyer, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Wouter Moore, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Herkie Kruger, 22 Johan Jackson.

Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant Referees: Mlungiseli Mdashe, Christie du Preez

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