The 2026 Currie Cup heads into Week 5 this weekend, and with just three rounds remaining before the semifinals, the race for the top four is heating up. In this blog, we recap last weekend's action from a betting angle, look at the latest standings and keep an eye on all things betting-related ahead of the Week 5 fixtures.
Bet: Blue Bulls v Cheetahs
Posted 16 August 09h40
Bet: 2 units (1–5) – Over 61.5 points at 10/11 with BetXchange.
The Stormers let me down against the Pumas yesterday and ended up taking a bit of a hiding. They certainly had their chances early but failed to capitalise on a dominant first-half performance and were ultimately very disappointing.
Heading into Sunday's action, it's interesting to see that the Bulls have named a couple of URC players on the bench. Realistically, though, they are out of this competition. That might also free them up to play with a more carefree attitude and, in what should be perfect conditions, I'm expecting both teams to score points.
The current handicap is Bulls +6.5, but I'm going to stay consistent and have another total points play.
Over 61.5 points is the bet.
Look out for my review of the Week 5 results in the Currie Cup Week 6 Betting Blog, which will be posted later today or early tomorrow morning.
Bet: Pumas v Stormers XXIII
Posted 15 August 08h17
Bet: 1.5 units (1–5) – Stormers XXIII to win at 3/1 with World Sports Betting.
I handicapped this game at Pumas -2.5, but the market has been pretty stable around Pumas -7.5 throughout the week.
My handicap reads on the opening two Currie Cup games weren't great. Fortunately, my focus was on the points markets, and I may well get involved in the points in this game later once I've seen the lines.
I do think, though, that the Stormers are big runners in this game. Aside from their heavy defeat away to Boland, their performances haven't been bad this season, and they did beat Griquas in their opener, which given how Griquas have kicked on suggests there is something to this side.
I'm not going to get involved in the handicap for now, leaving the door open for a potential points play later. At 3/1, though, I'm prepared to have a smaller bet on the Stormers to cause the upset.
Stormers XXIII to win is the play.
Bet: Griquas v Sharks XV
Posted 14 August 10h50
Bet: 2.5 units (1–5) – Over 63.5 points at 0.93/1 with BetXchange.
The money moved in the direction I expected in the Lions game, but it has gone the opposite way in this one. I came in with a low projected handicap of Griquas -7.5, but the market currently sits at -17.5, having opened at around the -12.5 mark.
We have a total points line of 63.5, and conditions look set to be excellent in Kimberley. It should start getting quite cold during the match, though, and dew is a possibility.
I've been burnt a bit on overs in the Currie Cup this year, but I do think this has all the makings of a high-scoring encounter on what should be a rock-hard Kimberley field.
Over 63.5 points is the play.
Bet: Lions v Boland
Posted 14 August 10h38
Bet: 2 units (1–5) – Over 60.5 points at 0.93/1 with PokerBet.
The handicap has moved out from the Lions -9.5 I saw earlier in the week to much closer to my projected handicap of -14.5, which is what I see on offer at the moment.
The total points line is 60.5 at PokerBet, although I have seen the line edging up with other bookmakers, so I expect it to move.
The game is being played at the Wits Stadium, so I'm a little concerned about the condition of the field after some rain during the week. That said, these are two sides who like to play running rugby, and I think 60.5 is fair enough.
Over 60.5 points is the play.
Handicaps are up!
Posted 13 August 08h40
The bookies are out with handicaps and Betxchange lines in brackets next to mine
Golden Lions -14.5 (-9.5) v Boland Cavaliers
Griquas -7.5 (-12.5) v Sharks XV
Pumas -2.5 (-7.5) v Stormers XXIII
Blue Bulls +8.5 (+8.5) v Free State Cheetahs
My main action will probably be in the points markets but I am going to back my early instincts with a treble
Gut Feel Treble: 0.5 unit (1-5) Lions -9.5, Sharks +12.5, Stormers +7.5 at 5.85/1 at Betxchange
Week 5 Handicap Projections
Posted 10 August 17h16
Below are my handicap projections for week 5
Golden Lions -14.5 v Boland Cavaliers
Griquas -7.5 v Sharks XV
Pumas -2.5 v Stormers XXIII
Blue Bulls +8.5 v Free State Cheetahs
Week 4 Review
There's a fine line between success and failure in betting, and unfortunately Week 4 was not a great one for me. I say a fine line, though, because although I got the Griquas game and the Sharks game well wrong with my overs plays, I did hit the Stormers-Cheetahs overs, and had my 5/2 bet on the Bulls come off, it would actually have been a good weekend.
The Bulls were blown off the park early but managed to take the lead in the final quarter before eventually losing by two. Here is a short review of all four matches from a betting angle.
Griquas 31 Golden Lions 19
Conditions looked perfect in Kimberley, at least on the surface, but there was quite a wind swirling around that I hadn't picked up beforehand. I was on over 62.5 points, and unfortunately it never really looked a runner.
Griquas had been backed into 1.5-point favourites, having been slight underdogs when the early betting came out, and they were never seriously threatened by this Lions side.
Blue Bulls 31 Pumas 33
The Pumas were 6.5-point favourites and looked like delivering for minus punters when they raced into a big lead.
The Bulls fought back strongly and at one stage appeared to have all the momentum. Having backed them at 5/2 to win, I thought they might kick on and get the job done, but unfortunately the Pumas did enough to edge the match by two points.
Sharks XV 19 Boland Cavaliers 12
I wasn't able to watch this game but had a points play nonetheless, and on the couple of occasions I flipped over to check the action, I could see I was in trouble.
The Sharks started as 2.5-point favourites and just managed to cover the handicap, but my over 54.5 points never came close.
Stormers XXIII 26 Free State Cheetahs 31
This game finished very close to the handicap, with the Stormers starting at around +6.5.
I considered sitting this one out after what had been a difficult weekend but eventually decided to have one more go, taking over 53.5 points. Thankfully, the bet arrived late in the game and clawed back some of the weekend's losses.
Table Update
With only three rounds remaining before the semifinals, Griquas sit at the top of the table on 16 points, level with the Cheetahs but ahead on points difference.
The Lions and Pumas are both on 12 points, while Boland Cavaliers and Stormers XXIII are just a point further back on 11. The Sharks XV are also very much in the hunt on 10 points.
That leaves seven teams separated by only six points in the battle for the four semifinal positions. Only the Blue Bulls, who have three points and are yet to win in four matches, appear to be out of the final-four mix.
Week 5 Fixtures
Friday 14 August
Golden Lions v Boland Cavaliers – 15:00, Ellis Park
Griquas v Sharks XV – 17:05, Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
Saturday 15 August
Pumas v Stormers XXIII – 17:00, Mbombela Stadium
Sunday 16 August
Blue Bulls v Free State Cheetahs – 15:00, Loftus Versfeld
I'll be back with my projected handicaps for Week 5 of the Currie Cup later today.
You can also click here to read a preview of the Sharks v All Blacks, taking place on Tuesday night.