RUGBY WRAP: Sharks remain in control of Currie Cup destiny, plus the latest from Super Rugby Pacific and the Top 14 playoffs

Currie Cup R13: Sharks, Cheetahs book home semi-finals

The Sharks’ 29-21 comeback win over the Golden Lions and the Free State Cheetahs’ 29-14 defeat of the Pumas ensured they will host this season’s Currie Cup semi-finals. The Durbanites went behind 14-0 inside the opening quarter but fought back at Hollywoodbets Kings Park to keep a hold of top spot on the log, two-points ahead of the Cheetahs who proved far too strong for the third-placed Pumas in Mbombela.

In other results, Griquas comfortably saw off Western Province 38-29 in Kimberley and the Blue Bulls (fourth) ran riot at Loftus, thumping the Griffons 64-33.

SR Pacific R14: Quarterfinal dates set

In the final round of regular season Super Rugby Pacific action, the Blues ended the Highlanders’ playoff hopes in a 16-9 result at Eden Park, the Brumbies beat the Rebels 33-17 at GIO Stadium, Fijian Drua saw off the Reds 41-17 at the ANZ, the Hurricanes edged the Crusaders 27-26 at the Wellington Regional, Moana Pasifika upset the Waratahs 33-24 at the Allianz to earn their first win and the Chiefs thumped the Force 43-19 at the nib.

The results ensured the following quarterfinals will take place this weekend: Chiefs vs Reds in Hamilton, Saders vs Drua in Christchurch, Blues vs Tahs in Auckland and Brumbies vs Canes in Canberra.

Top 14 Qualifiers: Away wins for Racing and Bordeaux

Both away outfits won their respective Top 14 qualifiers on a weekend that didn’t go according to plan. Stade Francais, who had finished fourth, welcomed Racing 92 to the Stade Jean-Bouin on Sunday but were shown up by their Parisian rivals, eventually falling 20-33. They weren’t done any favours by Argentine No 7 Marcos Kremer, who was shown his marching orders inside the opening five-minutes after an extremely dangerous clean out on Finn Russell.

On Sunday, Bordeaux-Begles beat Lyon 32-23 at the Stade Gerland.

The semi-finals get underway this weekend, with the Reale Arena hosting both matches. Toulouse and Racing clash on Friday while European champs La Rochelle face Bordeaux on Saturday.