Lions v Griquas Currie Cup Final, NPC week 8, Top 14 plus other rugby 19-21 Sep

What a weekend of rugby — and a profitable one at that!

Currie Cup
In the Currie Cup, the early Lions -12.5 was never in danger and my only regret was not getting more down at -16.5 - that being said greed has damaged me badly in the past.

Unders also cruised in the Griquas v Cheetahs game. The blog for the final is up and running and my handicap projection is Lions -18.5 assuming they field a similar team - I still have a faint hope that Griquas can pull off a 25/1 miracle.

The Rugby Championship takes a break but the Week 5 blog is up . Week 4 was a good one with the overs somehow arriving in Sydney (hell yes, that was a forward!) and then over 5.5 tries came home on the back of a Bok performance for the ages.

My handicap projections:

New Zealand -12.5 v Argentina

South Africa -13.5 v Argentina.

I think the caps are out so will do a handicap comparison tonight There is also NPC and Top 14 action this week, so plenty to keep us busy on the betting front.

Have a great week 

Currie Cup Blog updated with opening handicap

Lions -15.5 

 

Lions -17.5 from -15.5 closer to my -18.5 

NPC Handicaps below 

Taranaki -1.5 v Hawke's Bay
Wellington -11.5 v Southland
Counties Manukau +3.5 v Auckland
Canterbury -10.5 v Otago
Tasman -13.5 v Waikato
North Harbour +1.5 v Northland
Manawatu +9.5 v Bay of Plenty

Manawatu +10.5 ha @1.87 2u

I like the lineup with the return of Iose, BOP without Narawa, Trask and Carter is a different animal. Manawatu strong at home this season and I expect them to stay in this match.

Currie Cup Blog updated 

Griquas team and Lions go -22.5 

I am not clear on why this is - if you know anything please shout 

Also not sure why, but it's starting to get to the point where I'm almost ready to become a + backer. PJ Botha (C) also out now for Lions, and with it being a final and all.

In the always interesting Pro D2 I go with

Béziers -7.5 ha @1.90 2u

I have them as 13-14 points favourites so intrinsec value in this line, expect them to field a strong team and MDM also (maybe some rotation as they have an important match next week against Carca)

Équipes de Pro D2 : www.allrugby.com/news/pro-d2-2026-j4-compos-3270.html

The Handicap live at 21h00 with a surprise guest 

Click here to watch on You Tube 

Valence -5.5 ha @1.90 2u

Big compo Valence, after last week rotation. Meanwhile Angouleme with plenty of absences (Zouhair, Bidart, Nabou, Gibouin, Texier, Botica, Saubusse, Lafon, Barrett), my expected line was 9 points advantage to Valence and with this lineups value is in the home side.

Top 14 teams :  www.allrugby.com/news/top-14-2026-j3-compos-3271.html

My only source of hapiness this season at the moment is the Pro D2, yesterday Béziers and Valence delivered.

Today only Bordeaux o52.5 @1.83 2u

Strong backline UBB (forward pack nothing special but stronger than Montauban one) while Montauban with big rotation. Expect UBB revenge after last week poor performance, line for me around 55-56 points so value in the over.

Currie Cup Blog updated 

Griquas +23.5 at 9/10 

First bet of the day unders in the CC final at 56.5 and a smaller bet Griquas plus 21.5. 

Small bet on lions winnig margin 11-20 @4.1

Been tied up and other than Canada women’s win haven’t had another punt this weekend, itching to get involved.

over 55.5 pts lions Griquas 

What a turnaround there Brent !!! Well done brother . 

Toulouse +16.5 ha @1.83 2u

I must go with this line, first half Montpellier was superb, dominating every aspect of the game. I expect Ugo Mola to shout some gross words at halftime so Toulouse come back in the second half.

boom, lovely shot there Brenty- pay the punter LOL