The MTN Golden Lions will try and keep their foot on the accelerator when they face the GWK Griquas at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Friday evening.
With seven victories thus far in the Premier Division, the Golden Lions top the log and if they can keep that winning momentum going, they could host an Absa Currie Cup semi-final for the first time since 1999, which is also the last time they won the coveted golden trophy.
MTN Golden Lions assistant coach Johan Ackermann, a member of the Lions squad in 1999, said there are a lot of similarities between their squad in 1999 and this year, but that it’s still too early to start predicting who will finish where on the Absa Currie Cup log.
“We’re definitely not looking that far ahead yet,” said Ackermann.
“Home ground advantage in a semi-final can be very handy, but we’ll only start looking at possible permutations later in the season. For now we’ve got a difficult game ahead against a Griquas side that can topple any team on any given day.
“I’ve played there as well and know that they always play with great character. In Abré Minnie and Pote Human they have two very good coaches, so we’re getting ready for a big onslaught from Griquas on Friday evening.”
Last three games in Absa Currie Cup:
- 24 July 2010: GWK Griquas won 26-20 in Kimberley
- 11 September 2010: MTN Golden Lions won 40-29 in Johannesburg
- 23 July 2011: MTN Golden Lions won 49-11 in Kimberley
Your Rugby Weekend Match Schedule:
- Friday, 9 September: Border Bulldogs vs SWD Eagles – kick off at 17:05 at Buffalo City Stadium, East London. Referee Rasta Rashivenga
- Friday, 9 September: MTN Golden Lions vs GWK Griquas – kick off at 19:00 at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg. Referee Mark Lawrence
- Saturday, 10 September 2011: The Sharks vs Ford Pumas – kick off at 15:00 at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban. Referee Jaco Peyper
- Saturday, 10 September: Tasol Solar Griffons vs EP Kings – kick off at 15:00 at North West Stadium, Welkom. Referee Pro Legoete
- Saturday, 10 September: Valke vs Regent Boland Cavaliers – kick off at 15:00 at Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park. Referee Stuart Berry
- Saturday, 10 September 2011: DHL Western Province vs Platinum Leopards – kick off at 16:00 at DHL Newlands, Cape Town. Referee Sindile Mayende
- Saturday, 10 September: Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs Vodacom Blue Bulls – kick off at 17:05 at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. Referee Marius Jonker
- Sunday, 11 September: South Africa vs Wales – kick off at 10:30 at Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand.
