Rugby punters have 3 live Currie Cup games to look forward to on Wednesday and we take a look at each of them from a betting angle.
GRIQUAS v PUMAS
Griquas have gone down by 10 points to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and then by just 1 point playing against the Sharks in Durban. This fixture finished 13-13 in Kimberley last season.
The Pumas were well beaten in their opening round against a strong Bulls side going down 33-19 in Nelspruit. They bounced back strongly though to hammer the Lions 50-9 in Johannesburg and they will have targeted this game as a must win.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Griquas 22/10
Draw 25/1
Pumas 9/20
Handicap: Griquas (+6.5) at 9/10, Pumas (-6.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Pumas (-6.5) at 9/10
The Griquas don’t look the side they were last season and the Pumas opening two performances have been impressive and I will suspect they will win this one comfortably.
BULLS v CHEETAHS
The Bulls are currently top of the log after two victories at home to the Pumas and then a 19 point win away at Western Province. They are of course involved in URC action, but still have plenty of depth to call on.
The Cheetahs didn’t play in Round 2, but they did beat the Griquas 30-20 in their opening game in Bloemfontein. Last time these sides met in Pretoria the Bulls won a thriller 39-36 back in August 2021.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Bulls 9/20
Draw 25/1
Cheetahs 22/10
Handicap: Bulls (-6.5) at 9/10, Cheetahs (+6.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: First Half Winning Margin, Blue Bulls by 1-7 points at 2/1
I think this handicap is well set and find myself looking to a market I don’t often play, the First Half Winning Margin. I could see the Cheetahs being competitive particularly in the early stages and I am backing the Bulls to take a narrow lead into the sheds.
SHARKS v WESTERN PROVINCE
The Sharks beat the Griquas 24-23 at home in their only match to date although the final score line was close, they never looked in danger of losing the match.
They play a Province team that were well beaten by the Bulls at Loftus last time out going down 40-21 and that after beating a game Lions side 48-36 in an entertaining encounter in Cape Town.
This fixture finished 35-24 to Western Province last season.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Sharks 1/3
Draw 30/1
Western Province 28/10
Handicap: Sharks (-8.5) at 9/10, Western Province (+8.5) at 9/10
Suggested bet: Half-time Handicap Sharks (-4.5) at 9/10
For this bet to arrive we need the Sharks to be leading by 5 or more at half-time and I am expecting a fast start from the men in black and prefer this bet to the full-time handicap currently sitting at 8.5.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
