Can Luke Watson inspire Western Province to victory? © Getty Images

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And then there were four. The Currie Cup has reached the semi-final stage, with four of South Africa's biggest names set to go head-to-head for a place in the final. Early pace-setters Griquas fought to the death but were pipped by the Cheetahs, who join the table-topping Sharks, Western Province and the Blue Bulls in the knockout stages.

The Cheetahs' reward for a strong finish is a trip to face the Sharks at King's Park on Saturday. The home side have been boosted by the news that Springbok front-row duo Bismarck du Plessis and Tendai Mtawariria are fit to start, with Johann Muller also coming through training unscathed to start in the second-row.

The Cheetahs won eight from 10 in the closing games of the round robin phase, so will be confident of overturning the reigning champions at home. Naka Drotske has made four changes to his side, with impressive wing Lionel Mapoe replacing Danwel Demas, Jacques-Louis Potgieter re-taking the No.10 jersey alongside another new face in JP Joubert and WP Nel slotting in to the front-row.

The second semi-final takes place at Newlands, where Western Province host the Blues Bulls. Province slipped up away to the Lions last weekend, handing top spot to the Sharks, and will be keen to get back on track quickly against last season's beaten finalists. The men from Cape Town have not made a final since 2001.

Springboks Ricky Januarie and Schalk Burger must make do with places on the bench as Dewaldt Duvenhage retains the scrum-half jersey and skipper Luke Watson, Francois Louw and Pieter Louw keep their spots in the back-row.

Injury to Tonderai Chavhanga and a persistent calf problem for Sireli Naqelevuki means a shift to the wing for Frikkie Welsh. Andries Bekker starts alongside Anton van Zyl in the second-row and is up against the Springbok pairing of Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.

The Bulls have not been shy in calling on their Springboks for the game, with Matfield and Botha joined in the starting lineup by no fewer than 10 current or former internationals.

Fourie du Preez returns to partner Morne Steyn at halfback, with Bryan Habana slotting in on the wing. There is another high-profile return in the back-row, where rampaging No.8 Pierre Spies is joined by rising stars Deon Stegmann and Dewald Potgieter.

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