The Golden Lions and Western Province will be involved in a race over the next three weekends to claim the fourth available Currie Cup Premier Division semi-final place.

The two giants lost ground at the weekend as they suffered losses to Free State and the Blue Bulls respectively, that has left them six points off the pace with three rounds of league action remaining.

The Lions are currently in fourth place and hold a three point advantage over their rivals from the Cape.

The outcome of this weekend's fixtures could prove critical in the final analysis.

The Lions have an apparently easier task when they host the last-placed Valke in Johannesburg at 15h00 on Saturday whilst WP has a tough assignment against log-leaders Cheetahs in Cape Town (18h00).

The reality for WP is that nothing less than a win over the Cheetahs, who are unbeaten after 11 matches and have opened up a 10 point lead at the top of the standings, will suffice as they struggle to make the play-offs.

The Cheetahs have dominated recent meetings between the two and have become somewhat of a jinx for WP at Newlands after winning two consecutive semi-finals in Cape Town in 2004 and 2005.

The Cheetahs have won three out of their last four meetings at the famous venue. The only loss, significantly for WP, being last season when the home side triumphed 20-13.

The Lions look set to secure at least four points from their clash with the Valke who are without a win this season. Victory will significantly strengthen the Lions' position and give them the inside track as the league competition winds down.

The Sharks and the Blue Bulls will go head-to-head in a clash that could determine which of the two ends second on the log and secures a home semi-final. The Sharks are currently second with a seven-point cushion over the Blue Bulls.

A home win at Loftus on Friday (18h45) will allow the Blue Bulls to narrow the gap on the Sharks. A Sharks win will almost certainly confirm a home semi for the Durban side which has come away from Loftus with wins in 2005 and 2006.

The weekend's final Premier Division clash features the Boland Cavaliers at home against Wildeklawer Griquas on Saturday (16h00).

Griquas, who trail the Lions by six points, still have an outside chance of contesting for a play-off place and will be looking to secure at least four points from the clash. Boland are a tough prospect at home and it is likely to be a close contest.