The Currie Cup playoff race is hotting up with just 3 weeks of regular season action left and we take a look at the 4 games taking place this weekend from a betting angle.
Let’s start with a look at the latest Outright Betting where the Sharks have firmed to 16/10 favourites ahead of the Cheetahs at 28/10. Western Province and the Blue Bulls are trading at 9/2 and you can get 13/2 the Pumas and 12/1 the Lions with the Griquas rank outsiders at 28/1.
Click here for the latest Outright Currie Cup Betting
Griffons v Sharks – Click here to bet
The Griffons are bottom of the table with just 1 win in 11 starts and they are the only side without a mathematical chance of making the playoff. They were at home to Griquas last weekend where they started 12 point underdogs, but were beaten by 26 points and the week before that they were also at home and lost by just 4 points to Western Province.
The Sharks are up to 2nd on the table with 8 wins from their 11 matches. They beat the Cheetahs 35-23 in Durban last week and the week before they had edged the Pumas 24-22 in Nelspruit.
These sides met in the opening week of the competition with the Sharks winning 32-16 in Durban.
Handicap: Griffons +24.5
The Sharks should be far too strong here and will be keen to improve their points differential as that is what separates them from the Cheetahs at the top of the table. I am backing the Sharks to score 45 points or more.
Suggested Bet: Sharks, Total Points over 44.5 at 9/10
Western Province v Golden Lions – Click here to bet
Western Province are currently 4th on the log having come out on top in a hard fought encounter at home to the Pumas last week although they eventually won 22-14.
The Lions are 7th on the log and as the Outright Betting suggests they have plenty of work to do if they are to make the last four. They went down 33-32 at home to the Bulls last week and their last away game was a 33-26 victory over the Cheetahs.
When these sides met in Week 1 of the competition, Western Province won 44-28 in Johannesburg.
Handicap: Western Province +5.5
Western Province are never an easy side to beat at home, but the Lions have URC resources at their disposal and I am backing them to win this one going away.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Golden Lions -5.5 at 19/20
Cheetahs v Griquas – Click here to bet
The Cheetahs are top of the table by virtue of points difference after their loss away to the Sharks last week. It was their second successive defeat having lost at home to the Lions the week before and although they top the table, pressure is mounting on this Free State side.
The Griquas are currently 5th on the log, 3 points behind 4th placed Western Province. They were too strong for the Griffons on the road last week winning 47-21 to comfortably beat the handicap and the week before that they were well beaten 40-20 by the Bulls at home.
When these sides met in week 1 the Cheetahs ran out comfortable victors 42-19 in Kimberley.
Handicap: Cheetahs -10.5
The Cheetahs may be top of the table, but they haven't looked at their best in recent weeks. I think this Griquas side can push them all way.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Griquas +10.5 at 19/20
Pumas v Blue Bulls – Click here to bet
The Pumas are 3rd on the log with 7 wins and 4 losses in their 11 matches. They found Western Province too good on the road last week going down 22-14 in Cape Town. The week before that they were edged 24-22 by the Sharks at home.
The Bulls are 6th on the log and will not have forgotten the massive 63-15 hammering they took at the hands of the Pumas in week 1 in Pretoria. The Bulls edged the Lions 33-32 in Johannesburg last week and that was on the back of a comprehensive 20 point beating of the Griquas in Kimberley the week before.
Handicap: Pumas +8.5
This handicap has come in from +11.5 to +8.5, but I am backing the Bulls to get revenge for that heavy defeat they took at Loftus in Week 1.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Blue Bulls -8.5 at 19/20
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
