The cream rose to the top of the Currie Cup this weekend with the provincial giants of South African rugby making their mark.

Defending champions Western Province scored 61 points to seal a semi-final berth and the Golden Lions (64 points) and Natal Sharks (37 points) are almost there.

With surprise packets Falcons losing 23-15 to the Blue Bulls, the Free State Cheetahs seem likely to complete the knockout line-up despite a 61-26 drubbing from Province in Cape Town.

Province have 25 points, Natal 20, Lions 19, Free State 16 and Falcons 15 with one round of mini-league action left.

The provinces finishing first and second on the standings host the semi-finals against those coming fourth and third respectively so it looks like Province versus Free State and Natal versus Lions.