Meshack Khotha

Meshack Khotha

khotham@sowetan.co.za

SHARKS coach John Plumtree was in seventh heaven after his charges finished top in this year's Absa Currie Cup standings on Saturday.

"I'm proud of my players," Plumtree said after the match.

"We are now looking forward to our match against Cheetahs on Saturday. It will not be an easy match but we will face them with renewed determination."

Reigning champion Sharks qualified for the semifinals after beating 2008 Vodacom Cup champion Griquas 45-30 in Wellington.

Plumtree's side bonus point win condemned the then log leaders Western Province to second spot.

This follows Western Province's shock 27-25 defeat to resurgent Lions at Ellis Park also on Saturday.

Despite the setback, Western Province still qualified for the semifinals and will play Blue Bulls in Newlands, Cape Town, on Saturday in a 5pm kickoff.

The Sharks-Cheetahs encounter is billed for Durban at 2.30pm.

Cheetahs qualified for the semifinals after beating Boland 55-10 in Wellington also on Saturday.

Bulls, who are third on the log, thumped Leopards 61-24 in Rustenburg on Friday.