The main attraction of Week Nine is the big north-south derby, the Blue Bulls arriving at Newlands to face Western Province.

That alone should satisfy most pundits and purists.

But, as they say in those flaky sales adds, there is more.

You also get the two teams playing for first place on the standings. So congested is the standings that anyone of WP, the Sharks or Bulls could end up being first at the end of the weekend.

Province are top at the moment, the Sharks second and the Bulls third, with just three points separating them, and Griquas are just one point further back.

But, wait, there is more.

There is also the Free State Cheetahs versus Golden Lions crunch match - where the loser will be left with a mountain to climb in the race to the play-offs.

Throw in the rejuvenated Leopards hosting the early pace setters, Griquas, and it is really good value for money this weekend.

It starts on Friday afternoon, with the hapless Boland Cavaliers playing host to a determined Sharks outfit in Wellington, followed by the Leopards versus Griquas match in Potchefstroom later that evening.

Saturday we have the two big derbies - with the Cheetahs versus Lions first up in Bloemfontein and then WP hosting the Bulls in Cape Town in the late afternoon kick-off.

We look at all the Round Nine action!

Friday, September 4:

Boland Cavaliers v Sharks
(Boland Stadium, Wellington - 15.30, 13.30 GMT)

This game is as much about the Sharks bouncing back from last week's loss, their second defeat at the hands of Western Province this season, as it is about Boland restoring some pride.

The former, the Sharks bouncing back, is most likely to happen.

As Sharks assistant coach Grant Bashford said this week, the men from Durban have "taken a step backwards".

"There have been some harsh video sessions and some hard words. But for now we must look forward rather than backward," Bashford said on the Sharks website.

For Boland, who have been severely depleted by injuries, the season has been one of much frustration.

They don't have the depth or money to cope at this level and even when they called out to neighbours Western Province for help, the assistance was more of a token nature.

Initially five players were loaned to the Cavaliers, but within 24 hours the most high profile of the lot, Springbok utility forward Hilton Lobberts was recalled to Cape Town because Western Province have "lock problems".

The Sharks would obviously like to play up the Cavaliers in an effort to avoid their team falling into the complacency trap.

Bashford lead the chorus of 'praise' heaped on the hapless Boland team.

"If you look at Boland, all year they have been walloped away, but they've done well at home and there have been some close games," Bashford said.

"The Currie Cup has a nasty habit of turning over big sides, so complacency is not something you take into any games, especially against these smaller sides. Boland can hurt you if you let them into the game and the challenge for us will be to play well."

He points out that losses occur ? all the teams in this year's tournament have suffered defeats ? and as the log currently stands, The Sharks are still in a strong position.

"These things happen, it's not a calamity, we're still in second spot and the Lions did us a favour beating the Blue Bulls. We're just one point off Western Province so there's no need for drama."

iafrica.com Prediction: The Cavaliers are currently in eighth position on the Currie Cup log and have only defeated the Leopards (28-16) in the opening round this season. That is likely to remain their only win for the season. The Sharks to win easy - by 20 points or more.

Teams:

Boland Cavaliers: 15 Llewellyn Adonis, 14 Deon Scholtz, 13 PJ Vermeulen, 12 Hein Myburgh, 11 Cornal Hendricks/Alvin Hugo, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Charlie King, 8 Zandre Jordaan, 7 Carel Hoffman, 6 Wendal Wehr, 5 Rito Hlungwane, 4 George Earl, 3 Jane du Toit, 2 Clemen Lewis (captain), 1 Janro van Niekerk.
Replacements: 16 Harry Vermaas, 17 Johan Roets, 18 Nico Esterhuyse, 19 An other, 20 Denzil Willemse, 21 Ernie Kruger, 22 Justin Peach.

The Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche (captain), 14 Chris Jordaan, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Juan Hernandez, 9 Charl McLeod, 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 Melusi Mthethwa, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Monty Dumond, 22 Andries Strauss.

Referee: Peter Allen (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Matt Kemp, Eugenia Daniels

Leopards v Griquas
(Olen Park, Potchefstroom - 19.10, 17.10 GMT)

The Leopards are on a high, they scored their win last week - moved off the bottom of the standings and put 50 points past their rivals.

Griquas are the exact opposite. After setting the pace for the first five weeks, the wheels literally came off men from Kimberley.

In fact so bad has it been that, following their third successive defeat and conceding more than 50 points against the Cheetahs, the Griquas coaching staff drafted in a psychologist to get to the root of the team's 'mental failures'.

It was as if the Griquas players have suddenly lost all their self belief, that determination that saw them knock over teams like the Lions and Western Province earlier in the season.

"We needed somebody that could help us to focus on that what is important in the competition," Griquas coach Dawie Theron said this week.

While Griquas are still handily placed in forth pace and just four points off the pace-setting Province team, they can't afford another loss at this stage.

It is vital that they win soon if they want to realise their play-off aspirations.

"The players realise just how well they performed as a team earlier in the competition," Theron said, adding: "They are well aware how disappointing their performances have been in recent weeks, but the hunger to win and make it into the play-offs remain."

The Leopards have no play-off aspirations. Their main goal is to retain their Premier Division status and another performance like the one they produced against Boland last week will certainly go a long way towards realising their dream.

Their forwards play well as a unit and they have some very exciting backs.

The Leopards may lack the depth of some of the front runners, but they do have some quality individuals.

iafrica.com Prediction: For the romantics we can say that another Leopards win is a possibility ... and it is indeed so. But realistically you have to back the more experienced Griquas outfit to win. But it won't be by too much - 10 to 15 points.

Teams:

Leopards: 15 Russell Jeacocks, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Jovan Bowles, 12 Basil de Doncker, 11 Shuaib Samaai, 10 Cecil Dumont, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Christo van Niekerk, 7 Thabo Mamojele, 6 Wilhelm Koch (captain), 5 Edrich Linde, 4 Rudi Mathee, 3 Philip Lemmer, 2 Marthinus van der Westhuizen, 1 Nardus Lombard.
Replacements: 16 Gavin Williamson, 17 Os van der Walt, 18 Bennie Adams, 19 Riaan Swanepoel, 20 Jean Tiedt, 21 Clayton Durand, 22 Nicky Kritzinger.

Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Trompie Nontshinga, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Dougie Hellmuth, 8 Jonathan Mokuena (captain), 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Jacques Lombard, 4 Cecil Kemp, 3 Albertus Buckle, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Zane Killian.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Ruaan du Preez, 18 Nolan Clark, 19 Sean Plaatjies, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Jaco Bekker, 22 Gavin Passens.

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Assistant referees: Sewes Terblanche, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Michael Cupido

Saturday, September 5:

Free State Cheetahs v Golden Lions
(Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein - 15.00, 13.00 GMT)

Both teams enhanced their play-off prospects with crucial wins last week, but the most ominous signs came from the Lions camp.

They were written off after a changing of the guard in the coaching department and some early results could easily have been interpreted as a team on a slippery slope to mediocrioty.

But with a coaching panel that includes new head coach Hans Coetzee, World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White, Wimpie Vermeulen, Alan Miles and Russell Winter, the Lions showed some glimpses of they can really do.

They may still lack the consistency, but the manner in which they dismantled the Bulls last week is a clear indication that things are indeed improving in Johannesburg.

As White pointed out, they lost their first game to the Bulls and won the second against a Bulls team that was far better equipped than in the First Round game.

"We have dropped some league points along the way, but we are confident that we'll reach the play-offs," White said.

"We know it is a tough road ahead, especially with some of the other teams still to get their Springboks back. But nothing is impossible," he added.

Talk in the Cheetahs camp is also about play-offs. After losing their first four matches, they have won the last four and - just like the Lions - are just four points off the pace of a top-four finish.

With six more rounds to go, it is all to play for.

However, the Cheetahs are far more depleted, through injuries, than the Lions.

The Lions' losses include captain courageous Cobus Grobbelaar and suspended lock Willem Stoltz.

However, the Cheetahs will be without the services of quality players like Robert Ebersohn (ankle injury), Hendro Scholtz (head knock), Johan Wessels (ankle), Danwel Demas (ankle). These injuries follow the loss of other key personnel like Tewis de Bruyn, Meyer Bosman, Lionel Mapoe and Francois Uys.

Yet, coach Naka Drotske remains hopeful.

"Saturday's game against the Lions and the next week against Western Province are vital in terms of our season," Drotske said.

He spoke of the confidence the team gained since their early losses and felt that will carry the Cheetahs through.

iafrica.com Prediction: This is a tough one to call. Both teams have showed improved form, but both could so easily have an off day. We feel the Cheetahs are just too diluted, through injuries, and the Lions will sneak a win - by 10 points or less.

Teams:

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 JW Jonker, 13 Phillip Snyman, 12 Corne Uys, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Jean-Pierre Joubert, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Frans Viljoen, 6 Johan Wessels, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen, 19 Chris Dry, 20 Tertius Carse, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Lionel Mapoe.

Golden Lions: 15 Earl Lewis; 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Pieter Engelbrecht, 11 Johan Jackson; 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak; 8 Willem Alberts (captain), 7 Franco Van der Merwe, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Johan Snyman, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Wouter Moore, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Johan Van Deventer, 21 Doppies La Grange, 22 Ruan Boshoff.

Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Mandla Dakuse
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee

Western Province v Blue Bulls
(Newlands, Cape Town - 17.05, 15.05 GMT)

This could be a classic, maybe even the game of the weekend - especially if Western Province stick to their coach's pre-game plan of "running the Blue Bulls ragged".

The Bulls have made it clear they are not going to change the way they play - it will be typical Bulls rugby, hard and uncompromising.

Province forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot spoke of the need to "match the intensity" of the Bulls, but it was head coach Allister Coetzee's statement that they want to play an expansive game that could make this a real classic.

The hosts are brimming with confidence following their 21-9 victory over the Sharks in Durban last week, while the visitors will be desperate to get back to winning ways following their 13-20 defeat to the Lions.

"We're at sea level and we should look for more opportunities and not be conservative in our approach," said Coetzee.

"But I'm not saying we're going to just chuck the ball around. We still have to make sure we get the territorial advantage and get set pieces in their half of the field, because that's where you normally get the opportunity to break the line.

"We've got a very fit side, our conditioning is excellent and we finish strongly. We must continue doing the good work that we have been doing. This team has been playing with confidence and we need to continue doings so."

Bulls lock Wilhelm Steenkamp, who hails from the Western Cape and may even oppose his younger brother, De Kock (on the WP bench), said this will be a typical Province versus Bulls encounter.

"They [WP] are playing good rugby, but Bulls versus WP games are always, hard, bruising affairs, the margin is never that big," Steenkamp aid.

He acknowledged that Province play "total rugby", a 15-man game.

"They have a group of youngsters coming through, but the senior players are showing great leadership in keeping things together - guys like Chris Jack and Luke Watson, they are showing their experience."

Then there is also the much improved Province pack, who are regarded by many as the best set of forwards in the competition.

"Their forwards are producing some great form and they do play great rugby, but things can change quickly," Steenkamp said, adding: "Look at us, the previous week we did not lose a single line-out, this past weekend we lost a host to the Lions.

"The one weekend you can be on top, the next you get knocked off your perch. However, they [WP] are playing great rugby and they certainly have more depth than in the past."

Proudfoot, who said Province are happy with where they are at with their game, can learn a few good lessons from the Lions in the way they shut the Bulls down last week.

"We know exactly what the Bulls are going to bring - it is intensity," Proudfoot said, adding: "We have to match that intensity."

The WP forwards coach also felt that with the amount of analysis that is going on nowadays, very few 'new' things come into the games.

"Whatever you decide to do, what tactics to use, they key is that you must execute.

"The challenge is when they [the Bulls] bring that intensity, we have to match that with execution," Proudfoot added.

iafrica.com Prediction: You could almost flip a coin on this one. It could easily go either way, even if Province are slight favourites. It is only so because the game is being played at Newlands, but the two teams match up very evenly. The other slight edge WP have is in terms of experience - right across the park. But it is in the heart where this game will be won or lost and Province just seem so much more determined this year. They won't win by much, but WP will take the game by less than 10 points.

Teams:

Western Province: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Juan De Jongh, 12 Morgan Newman, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Anton van Zyl, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Hanyani Shimange, 17 JD Moller, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Frikkie Welsh, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.

Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Dewald Potgieter, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuun (captain), 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Fudge Mabeta, 19 Jacques Burger, 20 Dean Greyling, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Tiger Mangweni.

Referee: Pro Legoete
Assistant referees: Tiaan Jonker, Peter Allen (Scotland)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman