There are 3 live Currie Cup matches taking place on Wednesday and we take a look at each of them from a betting angle.
LIONS v PUMAS
The Lions were beaten 48-36 by Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday and although Western Province only started 5.5 point favourites, I was actually quite impressed by the performance of the young Lions side. Still the loss would have been disappointing to the coaching staff as they are looking to improve on their last place finish of last season.
The Pumas played the Bulls in Nelspruit on Friday night losing the game 33-19 having started 7 point underdogs. Conditions were challenging on the night and the Bulls put out a strong side and there was certainly enough in the Pumas performance to suggest they can cause an upset or two this season.
The Pumas last visit to Joburg saw them beat the Lions back in 2021.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Lions 5/10
Draw 25/1
Pumas 17/10
Handicap: Lions (-4.5) at 9/10, Pumas (+4.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Lions (-4.5) at 9/10
The Lions came up against experienced opposition in Western Province and they should find a Pumas side that is not as strong as last season more to their liking. I am backing the young home side to win by 5 points or more.
SHARKS v GRIQUAS
The Sharks weren’t in action on the weekend so they play their opening Currie Cup game of the season.
Last season they were beaten by 34 points in the final at Loftus and they certainly have a strong looking squad captained by Marius Louw in the 12 jersey.
The Griquas were outplayed by the Cheetahs eventually losing 30-20 on the weekend, a result which finished fairly close to the handicap of 8 points that the Cheetahs had started favourite. The Griquas last visit to Durban was in 2021 when they pulled off a 10 point victory having lost to the Sharks by 14 points in Kimberley earlier in the season.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Sharks 1/3
Draw 28/1
Griquas 12/5
Handicap: Sharks (-9.5) at 9/10, Griquas (+9.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sharks (-9.5) at 9/10
The money has come for the Sharks and although they are not at full strength I think they are going to be too strong for a Griquas side that looks shy on depth.
WESTERN PROVINCE v BULLS
Western Province looked sharp in their opening 12 point win against the Lions in a high scoring fixture in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Bulls are also coming off a victory having beaten the Pumas 33-19 at a damp Nelspruit on Friday night. They were well backed on the night, but it took a late try to see off the Pumas on the handicap.
Western Province and the Bulls met three times last season with the Bulls winning the semi-final at Loftus by 17 points and they also beat Western Province 34-13 in Cape Town. Western Province did beat the Bulls in Pretoria earlier in the season, but that was very much a second string Bulls outfit.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Western Province 23/10
Draw 28/1
Bulls 7/20
Handicap: Western Province (+8.5) at 9/10, Bulls (-8.5) at 9/10
Suggested bet: Handicap, Western Province (+8.5) at 9/10
I can understand why the money has come for this Bulls team as they have named a few big names which I don’t think the bookies were but I am going for Western Province to beat the cap.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
