The 2026 Currie Cup marches on this coming weekend, and in this blog we keep an eye on all things betting-related, and of course, we get involved with a few bets as well.
Bet: Lions v Blue Bulls
Posted 01 August 12h27
Bet: 2 units (1–5) – Under 67.5 points at 10/11 with BetXchange.
The Lions are firm favourites for this one, currently 17.5-point favourites, with the total points line set at 67.5 at UJ Stadium.
Backing unders in Currie Cup rugby can be a torturous experience, and I must be someone who enjoys putting himself through the wringer because that's the way I'm going here.
I was hoping to find an angle from the Varsity Cup matches played at the venue, but they were all high-scoring affairs. Even so, I just have a feeling that, in what is a relatively short season, both teams will treat this as a hugely important game and we could see a more measured approach.
It's certainly not a confident selection, but I think the value lies with the unders. Conditions look good, although it's expected to get pretty cold, particularly during the second half. Hopefully that leads to a few handling errors along the way.
Stormers XXIII v Sharks XV
Posted 01 August 12h19
There looks to be a little money coming for the Sharks XV, who are now 1.5-point favourites with PokerBet.
The market hasn't moved quite as much as I expected, but I'm happy to stick with my original play on the Sharks and won't be getting any further involved in this one.
The total points line is 57.5, and conditions look set to be ideal for rugby. Even so, I think the importance of this fixture in a shortened Currie Cup season could make both sides a little more conservative than usual.
If pushed for another bet, I would be leaning towards the unders.
Griquas Deliver - but only just!
Posted 01 August 07h39
The Currie Cup weekend got off to a good start with Griquas beating the Cheetahs 27-24, but it was certainly a lot closer than I thought it needed to be. We were hanging on a bit in the closing stages!
Money came for the Griquas throughout the week and they eventually started as 4.5-point favourites, so I'm pleased to have got on early before the market moved.
Below is the latest handicap and total points betting for today's two fixtures, as well as tomorrow's match in Wellington.
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Stormers XXIII -0.5 v Sharks XV – Points 56.5
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Lions -17.5 v Blue Bulls – Points 67.5
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Boland Cavaliers -15.5 v Ford Pumas – Points 61.5
I'm already involved on the Sharks XV to beat Stormers XXIII, and that market hasn't really moved since I placed the bet. I'll also be taking a close look at Lions v Blue Bulls at UJ Stadium this evening to see if anything catches my eye.
We'll be back with more later. In the meantime, keep an eye on the Goodforthegame Rugby Forum Thread to see what the other punters fancy throughout the day.
Griquas v Cheetahs
Posted 31 July 18h44
Sorry for the late post, believe it or not I was travelling back from another holiday albeit with some work thrown in. I can assure you I am not funding these trips through my rugby punting.
I see money has come for Griquas who are now -4.5 and I won't be getting further involved after my early move on them to win.
The points line is 61.5 and although dry it is pretty cold and windy and if pushed I would be on the unders.
Handicaps are out!
Posted 30 July 09h06
The early handicaps below in brackets next to mine
Griquas -4.5 (-0.5) v Cheetahs
Stormers +6.5 (-0.5) v Sharks
Lions -12.5 (-16.5) v Bulls
Boland -12.5 (-15.5) v Pumas
I am aligned with Shaft in the forum who has backed the Griquas to win their match and I also like the Sharks to beat the Stormers so a couple of early plays as I think both lines will move.
Bet: 3 units (1-5) Griquas win at 0.98/1 at WSB
Bet: 2 units (1-5) Sharks win at 0.98/1 at WSB
Handicap Projections
Posted 28 July 18h05
Here are my handicap projections for week 3 - I am not clued up on teams yet so very much gut feel
Griquas -4.5 v Cheetahs
Stormers +6.5 v Sharks
Lions -12.5 v Bulls
Boland -12.5 v Pumas
Round 2 Review
Cheetahs 43-21 Sharks XV
The Cheetahs started as 5.5-point favourites, and at 14-14 at half-time it looked as though I might be in with a chance with my Sharks XV outright bet at 15/10. It wasn't to be, though, as the Cheetahs pulled well clear in the second half to record a convincing 22-point victory.
Lions 52-29 Ford Pumas
I bounced back nicely in this game with my over 59.5 points bet, which never really looked under any pressure. The Lions had started as 6.5-point favourites and comfortably covered the handicap.
Griquas 56-26 Blue Bulls
There was good support for Griquas after the betting opened. Having initially seen -10.5, there was -12.5 available with some bookmakers by kick-off. Griquas duly delivered with a 30-point victory and comfortably landed my biggest Currie Cup bet of the weekend, Griquas over 35.5 team points.
Boland Cavaliers 41-3 Stormers XXIII
Conditions were good for this game and there appeared to be support for both sides around the Boland -4.5 / Stormers +5.5 mark. What really surprised me was Boland's outstanding defensive effort as they ran out emphatic 41-3 winners.
I had you on the under 61.5 points, which was also a comfortable winner, while my main bet was Boland -4.5, completing a nice comeback over the weekend.
Round 3 Fixtures
Friday, 31 July
- Griquas v FS Cheetahs
Saturday, 1 August
- Stormers XXIII v Natal Sharks
- Golden Lions v Blue Bulls
Sunday, 2 August
- Boland v Pumas
I'll be back on Monday or Tuesday with my projected handicaps for the weekend's fixtures.