The Currie Cup continues this weekend and we take a look at all 4 matches from a betting angle.
The Cheetahs and Sharks are disputing favouritism at the top of the betting boards and they are both priced at 22/10 to lift the Trophy. The Pumas are 33/10, you can get 13/2 Western Province, 15/2 the Lions and Bulls and 20/1 the Griquas.
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FRIDAY
Western Province v Pumas – Click here to bet
Western Province are currently 4th on the log with a 50% win/loss record after 10 matches. They were made to work hard for a 25-21 victory over the Griffons away last week and their last home game was a 31-7 victory over the Bulls.
The Pumas are 2nd on the log with 7 wins and 3 losses and they had their hearts broken in Nelspruit last week when the Sharks won with a late score 24-22. The week before that the Pumas beat the Griffons 45-25 at home and their last away game was a 26-10 defeat to the Golden Lions.
These sides met in Week 7 with the Pumas edging Western Province 25-24 at home.
Handicap: Western Province -0.5
We are reaching the stage of the season where depth is being tested and Western Province have a much larger player pool to pick from. I think Province are going to be too strong here.
Suggested Bet: Western Province, win at 9/10
Sharks v Cheetahs – Click here to bet
The Sharks have climbed to 3rd on the table with a 70% win record. They came from behind to beat the Pumas 24-22 on the road last week and the week before that had beaten the Bulls 41-27 in Pretoria. Their last home game was a 24-6 win over the Griquas.
They face the Cheetahs who top the table with 7 wins and 3 losses in their opening 10 games. The Cheetahs were beaten at home 26-33 by the Lions last week and the week before that they had edged Western Province by 5 points last home. Their last away game was a 26-17 win over Western Province in Week 6.
The Cheetahs and the Sharks met in Week 7 in Bloemfontein with the Sharks winning 24-17.
Handicap: Sharks -5.5
I was expecting he Sharks to name a stronger team, but I am still leaning towards them to win this game and do enough to beat the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sharks -5.5 at 19/20
SATURDAY
Griffons v Griquas – Click here to bet
The Griffons are bottom of the table with just 1 win in 10 matches. They put in one of their better performances of the season last week going down 21-25 to Western Province at home. The week before that they had lost by 20 points to the Pumas on the road and their only win this season came against the Bulls at home.
The Griquas are 6th on the log and in desperate need of points as the semi-final race hots up. They were beaten 40-20 by the Bulls at home last week having edged the Lions 25-21 the week before. The Griquas last away game was a 24-6 defeat to the Sharks in Week 8.
The Griquas hosted the Griffons in Week 7 winning 42-27.
Handicap: Griffons +11.5
The Griffons have managed to stay within a number of handicaps this season often due to late tries and that is often a concern when you are taking a large minus. I don’t think the current handicap is big enough though and I think Griquas are going to make a statement and run away with a comfortable win.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Griquas -11.5 at 19/20
Golden Lions v Blue Bulls – Click here to bet
The Golden Lions are up to 5th on the table with 4 wins and 6 defeats in their opening 10 games. They fielded a side with a number of returning URC stars last week and beat the Cheetahs 33-26 on the road. The week before that they lost 25-21 away to the Griquas and their last home game was a 26-10 victory over the Pumas.
The Blue Bulls are 7th on the log with 4 wins and 6 defeats, but they have got 2 less bonus points than the Lions this season. The Bulls fielded a strong side last week away to the Griquas winning 40-20 and the week before that they had lost by 14 points at home to the Sharks.
These sides met at Loftus in Week 7 with the Bulls winning 30-19.
Handicap: Lions +3.5
This will be a desperate battle between two sides who cannot afford to lose given their positions on the log. Of the two sides I have been more impressed with the Lions of late and I think they can beat the odds and get an upset victory here.
Suggested Bet: Golden Lions win at 31/20
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
