The Top Eight section of the Currie Cup competition is set for an exciting finale this weekend as the four semi-finalists will be determined.

Western Province on Saturday assured them of a home semi by destroying Free State in an exhilarating performance of attacking rugby. They face the Natal Sharks - also assured of a semi-final berth courtesy of their victory over the Pumas - in Durban on Saturday.

The Cheetahs on Saturday earned a bonus point for scoring four tries at Newlands and that should be their ticket to the semi-finals, although they could still lose out to the Falcons, who are on 15 points one behind the Free Staters. The Cheetahs on Friday night take on the Pumas in Bloemfontein and need a win to make sure of their semi-final berth.

The Falcons have a much easier game when they play against the lowly Griquas at their home ground in Kempton Park. The Falcons have mastered the art of scoring tries and they shouldn't have too much of a problem collecting five points, which means that the Cheetahs will be hard-pressed to also make sure they earn five points in order to stay ahead of the Falcons. If the teams both finish on 20 points the Cheetahs will go through by virtue of their better points difference - Free State at this stage are on -11 and the Falcons on -32.

If the Cheetahs beat the Pumas, the Falcons will be keeping a keen eye on the game between the Bulls and the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday. And they will back the Blue Bulls, who are perfectly capable of upstaging their neighbours. If the Bulls beat the Lions and prevent them from taking a bonus point, the Falcons will go through. However, if both finish on 19, the Falcons yet again will lose out on points difference as the Lions have a superior points difference on 53.

Phil Pretorius' Falcons would be desperately unlucky to lose out on a semi-final spot. They played some entertaining rugby this season. However, they should not have been in a position where they have to depend on their Super 12 franchise partners both in Bloemfontein and Johannesburg this weekend.

If fullback Dawie du Toit (pictured) succeeded with that kick against WP two weeks ago they would have earned an extra bonus point and that could be the difference between being a semi-finalist or a spectator. If the Falcons had taken their chances they could have beaten WP in Kempton Park and they also had the better of the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, but still managed to throw the game away.

The Lions are breathing down the Sharks' neck and if they get a bonus point win over the Blue Bulls they may just edge out the Durbanites for second place and a home semi-final. For that to happen though, the Sharks will have to go down to WP. An intriguing final weekend of league games is waiting.

This weekend's fixtures:

Friday: Falcons v Griquas in Kempton Park; Free State Cheetahs v Pumas in Bloemfontein.

Saturday: Lions v Blue Bulls in Johannesburg; Natal Sharks v Western Province in Durban.