Friday sees the top four teams battling it out, and the two finalists – as well as the venue for the match – will emerge by day's end. Suzuki Griquas, leading the table, will square off against the fourth-placed Toyota Cheetahs, while the Airlink Pumas, holding the second spot, will take on the NovaVit Griffons, who sit in third place.

The Free Staters host their neighbours from the Northern Cape in a critical encounter where the home side – who can’t make the final anymore – will aim to upset the team at the top of the standings and in the process do the Pumas a massive favour.

Should the Toyota Cheetahs win and deny Suzuki Griquas any log points, the Airlink Pumas can still finish at the top of the log. However, victory or a draw for the Peacock Blues will secure them a home final, and they will look to seal the deal and give their supporters something to look forward to on the last weekend in May.

In the other match on Friday, which kicks off an hour later, the Airlink Pumas will host the NovaVit Griffons in a showdown where victory could catapult either team into title contention. Both teams, having lost just one league game each, understand the significance of this encounter.

Should Suzuki Griquas stumble, victory for the Airlink Pumas will see the two teams finish on the same number of log points, and the points’ difference of only three points will then come into play, but it’s so small, that the win should secure a home final for the team from Mpumalanga.

Only one log point behind the Airlink Pumas, the team from the Northern Free State will look to showcase their talents and book a spot in the final, but the NovaVit Griffons will know that victory is the only way forward for them.

On Saturday, the action continues with two matches. Firstly, the Phangela SWD Eagles, positioned sixth, will host the Leopards, currently in ninth place, at Outeniqua Park, where both teams are locked in a battle for a mid-table finish.

Meanwhile, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers will clash with Eastern Province in Piketberg. The Gqeberha-based side seeks to climb two places on the log and finish sixth, just one position behind Boland, who are guaranteed to remain in fifth place regardless of the outcome.

Wrapping up the week's fixtures, the Border Bulldogs will square off against Valke, aiming to conclude their season on a positive note and secure valuable points. Sharing 13 log points with the Eagles and Eastern Province, they also harbour hopes of achieving a sixth-place finish.

Match information:

Toyota Cheetahs vs Suzuki Griquas
Date: Friday, 17 May
Venue: Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
Referee: AJ Jacobs
SA Time: 18h00
TV: SuperSport Variety 4 (209)

Airlink Pumas vs NovaVit Griffons
Date: Friday, 17 May
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Referee: Sean Muller
SA Time: 19h00
TV: SuperSport OTT 1 (244)

Phangela SWD Eagles vs Leopards
Date: Saturday, 18 May
Venue: Outeniqua Park, George
Referee: Dylen November
SA Time: 14h30
TV: SuperSport OTT 5 (245)

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers vs Eastern Province
Date: Saturday, 11 May
Venue: Rhino Park, Piketberg
Referee: Paul Mente
SA Time: 15h00
TV: SuperSport OTT 1 (244)

Border Bulldogs vs Valke
Date: Sunday, 19 May
Venue: Police Park, East London
Referee: Ruhan Meiring
SA Time: 14h00
TV: SuperSport Rugby (211)