The first of Saturday's Currie Cup semi finals sees the Cheetahs host the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein.
Cheetahs v Blue Bulls, Saturday 17th June, Bloemfontien, KO 15:00 (South African time)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Dylen November
TMO: Egon Seconds
Weather Forecast - Bloemfontein
Cheetahs:
The Cheetahs topped the standings in the regular season. They won 9 of their 14 matches, drawing 1 and losing 4. They finished 3 points clear of the Sharks with the Pumas 11 points back and the Bulls 13 adrift in fourth
The Cheetahs beat the Bulls 31-27 at Loftus in the final round of matches, a game the Bulls led 19-0 early doors and the home side also played more than half the match with 14 men.
The Cheetahs are now trading at around 22/10 with World Sports Betting in the outright betting to win the Currie Cup title this season
Blue Bulls:
The Bulls took the last of the play off places, finishing fourth with 7 wins and 7 defeats against their name. Despite last week's defeat to the Cheetahs the Bulls did pick up 2 bonus points which clinched their play off place.
The Bulls recovered from losing their first 4 matches of the tournament, one of which was a 32-7 defeat to the Cheetahs in Bloem.
The Bulls are now trading at around 2/1 with World Sports Betting in the outright betting to win the Currie Cup title this season
Team News
Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Jeandre Rudolph, 20 George Cronje, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Evardi Boshoff, 23 Robert Ebersohn
Bulls: 15 Johan Goosen, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Sibongile Novuka, 23 Wandisile Simelane
Recent Head to Head
(Currie Cup)
2023 Bulls 27-31 Cheetahs
2023 Cheetahs 32-7 Bulls
2022 Cheetahs 35-5 Bulls
2022 Bulls 25-38 Cheetahs
2021 Bulls 39-36 Cheetahs
2021 Cheetahs cancelled Bulls
2020 Bulls 40-13 Cheetahs
2019 Bulls 27-43 Cheetahs
2018 Cheetahs 12-34 Bulls
2017 Cheetahs 36-64 Bulls
2017 Bulls 40-41 Cheetahs
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Cheetahs +3.5 points at 9/10
Bulls -3.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
The Cheetahs have had the better of the Bulls in recent times including last week’s clash at Loftus when they came from well down to win by 4 points. It was this that influenced me when I handicapped the game and I went Cheetahs -4.5 so I was genuinely surprised to see the Bulls priced as favourites.
There is no doubt that on paper the Bulls have an excellent team, but for me there has just been something missing in the camp this season and I think that a fired up Cheetahs side can take advantage of this and book their spot in the final with a home win.
The Total Points line looks a bit high to me at 59.5 and I may well add an unders play closer to kick-off, but for now though just a straight up win bet on the Cheetahs.
BET: 3 units Cheetahs win at 29/20 at WSB
Bet: to follow
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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