The penultimate round of Currie Cup action takes place this weekend and we suggest a bet in all 4 matches.
The Sharks are 2/1 favourites to win the Currie Cup ahead of the Cheetahs and Blue Bulls both priced at 28/10. You can get 5/1 Western Province, 15/2 the Pumas and 12/1 the Lions with the Griquas propping up the betting boards at 16/1.
Click here for the Currie Cup Outright Betting
FRIDAY
Griquas v Western Province – Click here to bet
The Griquas are second from bottom of the table, but they are still in playoff contention sitting on 7 points with 3 teams above them. Griquas played out a 29-29 draw away to the Free State Cheetahs last weekend, a game in which they started 3 point underdogs and their last home game was a 10 point loss to a full strength Blue Bulls team.
Western Province are currently 4th on the log on 31 points, but with the log jammed with 3 teams behind them. Last week Province hosted the Lions and went down 12-32 despite dominating possession for large periods of the match.
These sides met back in Week 4 of the competition with the Griquas winning 32-13 in Cape Town.
Handicap: Griquas +6.5
I think this has the makings of a high scoring game and it is the sort of match I wouldn’t be surprised to see both teams taking a 4 try bonus point. I am betting that we get 56 points or more in the game.
Suggested Bet: Over 55.5 points at 17/20
Blue Bulls v Griffons – Click here to bet
The Bulls are currently 6th on the log still very much in playoff contention. They were away to the Pumas last week when they won 24-17 and the week before that they edged the Lions 33-32 in Johannesburg.
The Griffons are bottom of the log with just 1 win in their 12 matches and they are the only team out of contention for the playoffs. That victory did come against the Bulls at home in Week 4 when they won 32-28 the upset of the season and last week the Griffons lost by 23 points to the Sharks at home.
Handicap: Blue Bulls -33.5
The Griffons are starting to take strain at the end of a long and hard season and the Blue Bulls are rightfully massive favourites here. They have let their supporters down at times this season, but I think they are going to steam roller the Griffons from the very start and I will back the Bulls to score 3 tries or more than the Griffons by the break.
Suggested Bet: Half-Time Try handicap, Bulls -2.5. at 21/20
SATURDAY
Pumas v Cheetahs – Click here to bet
The Cheetahs are The Pumas are 3rd on the log and they probably need 1 win to secure passage through to the semi-finals. They have run into tough times of late though and last week were beaten 24-17 by the Bulls at home and the week before that 222-14 away to Western Province and they have now lost 3 matches in succession, a run that started when they went down 22-20 at home to the Sharks.
The Cheetahs are 2nd on the log, 5 points ahead of the Pumas and 3 points behind the Sharks at the top of the table. Last week they were double digit favourites at home to the Griquas, but could only draw 29 all. The week before that they went down by 12 points to the Sharks in Durban. The Cheetahs are also on a 3 match run without a victory.
The Free State Cheetahs hosted the Pumas in Week 4 going down 21-61.
Handicap: Pumas +0.5
Both of these sides have struggled in recent weeks and I think this could be quite a scrappy encounter. I haven't seen a points line priced up yet, but I will be going unders if it is anywhere around 58.5 or above. I think the Cheetahs will have just too much for the Pumas and I am backing them to eke out a narrow win.
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Cheetahs under 12.5 points at 7/4
Sharks v Golden Lions – Click here to bet
The Sharks have moved to the top of the table with 9 wins from their 12 games. Last week they were away to the Griffons where they overcame a slow start to win by 24 points in a low scoring encounter. The week before that they beat the Cheetahs 35-23 at home.
The Golden Lions are 5th on the log and in desperate need of a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. Last week they beat Western Province 32-12 in Cape Town. The week before that they lost 32-33 in a high scoring encounter against the Bulls at home.
The Lions hosted the Sharks in Week 4 winning 34-22.
Handicap: Sharks -1.5
The Sharks have been the in form team in recent weeks, but the Lions have looked a lot stronger with the return of their URC players. This match is important to both teams, but I just have the feeling that the Lions are going to continue to improve and can take the win.
Suggested Bet: Golden Lions win at 23/20
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
