The Lions and Griquas will host home Currie Cup semi-finals.

There were still plenty of permutations going into the final round of the league stage, with the top four teams all chasing victories to strengthen their log positions while the Pumas still stood a chance of sneaking into the last four.

Ultimately they missed out due to a loss at the hands of the Sharks who called in some reinforcements for the Kings Park clash on Friday night. The Sharks were 19-13 winners.

REPORT: Sharks battle past Pumas

The Boland Cavaliers were also chasing a home semi-final after a dream Currie Cup campaign so far, but were denied by a Western Province side who loaded up their team with several URC squad players for the Cape derby. The Cavaliers went down 40-22.

REPORT: Western Province win at last

The Lions ended top of the table after their seven matches after downing Griquas 31-7 in Johannesburg. That result gives them the right to host the Cavaliers in the one semi-final. It was only the men from Kimberley’s second loss of the competition and they now return to their fortress where they’ll host the Cheetahs in a central derby in the other semi-final.

REPORT: Lions secure Ellis Park semi

The Cheetahs put in a strong second half performance against a star-studded Vodacom Bulls side at Loftus, but just fell short as the Bulls held on for a 35-31 win.

REPORT: Bulls survive late Cheetahs surge

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images