Western Province and the Sharks head into the third round of the Currie Cup desperate for a first win.

The teams are at the bottom of the eight-team log after losing their first two matches of the campaign.

WP went down to the Vodacom Bulls (48-23) and Lions (40-19), while the Sharks suffered heavy defeats against the Lions (46-3) and Bulls (64-0).

However, it won’t get any easier this weekend, with WP facing Griquas in Kimberley on Friday, and the Sharks hosting the Cheetahs on Saturday.

Griquas have won their last seven encounters with WP, including a 37-29 victory in Kimberley last September.

After losing to the Pumas in round one, the men from Kimberley bounced back with a 48-39 win over the Boland Kavaliers and will be confident heading into this clash.

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On Saturday, the Sharks welcome the Cheetahs to the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont.

Free State showed their class in a gritty win over the Pumas and will be favourites against a youthful KZN outfit reeling from their Loftus hammering.

The Sharks have won three of the last five meetings between the sides, including a 25-20 victory last time out.

Saturday’s action begins in Pretoria, where the table-topping Bulls host the Pumas.

The Bulls have made a strong start to the season with two bonus-point wins and are chasing a third straight win over the Pumas, who edged Griquas in round one but lost to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend.

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Sunday’s match in Wellington sees Boland host a confident Lions team.

The newly promoted Cavaliers have been competitive so far, collecting six log points, but face a massive test against last year’s runners-up.

The Lions have lost just once in their last five Currie Cup matches and boast a powerful pack and dangerous backline.

Another attacking spectacle is expected in Wellington.

Currie Cup round 3 fixtures
Friday, 8 August
Griquas vs Western Province, Kimberley (3pm)
Saturday, 9 August
Bulls vs Pumas, Pretoria (3pm)
Sharks vs Cheetahs, Durban (5.10pm)
Sunday, 10 August
Boland Cavaliers vs Lions, Wellington (3pm)

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images