The Currie Cup continues this weekend and we take a look at all 4 of the matches from a betting angle.
Before we get going a quick look at the latest Outright Betting where the Cheetahs are favourites at 28/10 ahead of the Pumas at 3/1, you can get 4/10 Province and the Bulls with the Sharks priced at 9/2 and 10/1 and better the balance.
Click here for the latest Currie Cup Outright Betting
FRIDAY
Golden Lions v Pumas – Click here to bet
The Golden Lions are 7th on the log with just 2 wins in their opening 7 matches. They came back well against the Bulls last week, but ultimately went down 30-19 at Loftus, a result which leaves them plenty to do if they are to make the playoffs. The week before that they were at home to the Griquas going down 18-25.
The Pumas are top of the table with 6 victories and 1 loss in their opening 7 games. They started double digit favourites at home to Western Province last week, but were given a tough match and scraped in 25-24 for victory. The week before they had been in Welkom where they hammered the Griffons 64-6 and prior to that they had gone down by 7 points to the Sharks in a low scoring encounter in Durban, a game where they started favourites.
The Pumas hosted the Golden Lions in Week 2 of the Currie Cup winning 34-27 thanks to a late try.
Handicap: Golden Lions-3.5
The Pumas have been excellent in this Currie Cup so far, but I like the size of this Golden Lions team are putting out and I think they can beat the handicap and win this game by four points or more.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Lions -3.5 at 9/10
Cheetahs v Griffons – Click here to bet
The Cheetahs are 2nd on the table with 5 wins and 2 defeats in their opening 7 games. They were well backed favourites last week at home to the Sharks, but they went down 17-24 in Bloemfontein and the week before that they also failed to beat the handicap when they came out 26-7 victors over Western Province away.
The Griffons beat the 30 point handicap last week away to the Griquas going down 42-27 and the week before that they hosted the Pumas getting hammered by 58 points.
The Griffons hosted the Cheetahs in Week 2 of the Currie Cup going down 12-52.
Handicap: Cheetahs -36.5
The Cheetahs should win this game without any problems, but the handicap of 36.5 is one of the biggest I have seen in some time. I will decide close to kick off whether to get heavily involved in this game, but for now speculative play on the Griffons big centre, Marquit September to score at anytime in the game.
Suggested Bet: Anytime Try Scorer, Marquit September at 15/4
SATURDAY
Sharks v Griquas – Click here to bet
The Sharks are currently 3rd on the log with 4 wins and 3 defeats from their opening 7 games. They caused a minor upset last week when they beat the Cheetahs 24-17 in Bloemfontein and the week before that they lost 20-24 to the Bulls in Durban.
The Griquas are currently sitting 4th on the table and have, like the Sharks, a 4-3 win/loss record this season. They made heavy work of beating the Griffons 42-27 at home last week and the week before that they turned in one of their better performances of the season with a 25-18 victory over the Lions on the road.
These sides also met in Week 2 of the Currie Cup where the Griquas trailed by plenty at half-time, but came back to win 48-40.
Handicap: Sharks -7.5
The Sharks have turned in some impressive performance over the last few weeks and I haven't been impressed with the Griquas side. This is not a big play but the Sharks to win by 8 or more is the call.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sharks -7.5 at 19/20
Western Province v Blue Bulls – Click here to bet
Both of these sides have won 3 matches and lost 4 with Western Province sitting 6th on the log, 1 point behind the Blue Bulls who sit 5th.
Western Province put up a brave fight away to the log leading Pumas last week eventually going down 24-25 in Nelspruit. They were coming off a 9 point defeat at home to the Cheetahs and the week before that they had made rather heavy work of beating the Griffons 47-28 at home.
The Bulls beat the Golden Lions 39-19 last week, a final margin which finished almost exactly on the bookmakers handicap. The week before that they had beaten the Sharks 24-20 in Durban and when these sides met in Pretoria in Week 2, it was Western Province who came out on top 41-33.
Handicap: Western Province -1.5
I don’t have any firm view on this game and will be waiting for the points lines before getting further involved. For now though speculative play on the Blue Bulls making a fast start, leading at the break only for Western Province to come back and win the match.
Suggested Bet: Half-time/Full-Time / Blue Bulls/Western Province at 11/2
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
