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 The Griquas host the Lions in Kimberley and the Bulls take on the Cheetahs at Loftus on Saturday and unlike Friday nights matches the bookmakers are expecting genuine contests.
Griquas v Lions
Griquas stumbled last week in Bloemfontein although a last minute penalty saw them get a bonus point and beat the handicap (much to my disappointment) and their win over the Sharks in week 1 looked all the more impressive when their opponents that day came out and beat the Bulls last week. One worry for Griquas this week is that a couple of players are carrying injuries and Basson has been bracketed with Lawson pending a late fitness test.
The Lions limp in to Kimberley on the back of a 32-0 hiding from WP at Newlands where the only possible positive they could have taken was that they prevented the hosts from grabbing a 4 try bonus point. An indication of their lack of depth is that despite the heavy defeat the only change made is injury enforced with Buys in for Janse van Rensburg in the front row.
In the last 3 renewals of this fixture the Griquas won by 5 points in 2009, the Lions by 4 points in 2008 and by 28 points in 2007.
BETTING
Griquas 15/20 with Betxchange
Draw 25/1 generally available
Lions 14/10 with GreatOdds
Handicap
Griquas -1 at 9/10 tie no bet with Betxchange
Lions +3.5 at World Sports Betting and Mbet
BETTING ANGLE
Having fancies Mitchell to turn the Lions around a bit this year I am forced to admit that he just does not have the players. Based on what I saw last week the Griquas will be too strong at home and the 15/20 appeals as a good bet (there was 8/10 upfront but punters have hovered this up).
BET: 5 units Griquas win at 15/20 with Betxchange
Spreads Watch: This could be a game to buy total points or shirt numbers. Griquas home games last season averaged 60 points a piece and I have excluded the 80 point mauling of a sub standard Boland team. The last 2 encounters between these sides in Kimberley have seen 67 and 61 points respectively and there were 74 points in their opener against the Sharks.
I am eagerly awaiting quotes and when I make my move I will post in the Currie Cup and Tri Nations discussion thread in our forum.
Bulls v Cheetahs
The Bulls were rocked last week with defeat in Durban and they certainly suffered from the sheer volume of Bok call ups from the squad. They beat the Pumas easily enough in week 1 although they failed to beat the handicap meaning they are 0/2 in that department this season. There are no changes to the starting XV probably reflective of the fact that their depth is being sorely tested.
The Cheetahs bounced back from defeat to WP with a 7 point win over Griquas in Bloem but like the Bulls they are now 0/2 on the handicap front. They have brought back hooker Strauss from injury although Badenhorst is likely to play the 2nd 40.
The Bulls won the final against the Cheetahs at Loftus last year with the margin 12 points and they won the group clash in Pretoria by 3 points a match where they started 12 point favourites and found betting support.
BETTING
Bulls 4/11 with GreatOdds
Draw 28.57/1 with World of Sport
Cheetahs 3.34/1 with World of Sport
Handicap
Bulls -8.5 at 9/10 with Mbet
Cheetahs +10.5 at 9/10 with World Sports Betting
BETTING ANGLE
The Bulls remain a strong side but I believe they are in for a serious game here and I think the Cheetahs will beat the handicap and actually reckon they can kick on and win the match. The Cheetahs should have at least parity upfront and man for man I don’t think there is a lot between the sides. These teams have formed a great rivalry in recent years and I am backing the Cheetahs to do the business in the final game of week 3.
BET: 7 units Cheetahs +10.5 at World Sports Betting
BET: 1 unit Cheetahs win at 3.34/1 at World of Sport (I could not resist the price)
Spreads Watch: I may look to go high on Cheetahs shirts although with serious fixed odds commitments I may take it easy on the spreads in this one.
Friday nights Currie Cup previews are up and you can click here for our Wallabies v Boks preview.
BEST BET
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