The 2026 Currie Cup heads into Week 6, and with just two rounds of the regular season remaining, the race for the four semifinal spots is heating up. In this blog, we recap the Week 5 action from a betting angle, take a look at the latest standings and keep an eye on all things betting-related ahead of Week 6.
Poor and to the weekend
Posted 23 Aug 17h17
The Cheetahs were so poor but I thought I had come back from the dead to win that bet, how they didn't score when on the line with advantage in the final minutes I have no idea.
The new blog is under construction
Bet: Cheetahs v Bulls XV
Posted 23 August 10h12
Bet: 2.5 units (1–5) – Cheetahs over 37.5 points at 0.92/1 with PokerBet.
The handicap has moved out from Cheetahs -8.5 to -9.5 or -10.5, depending on where you're betting.
I indicated on Thursday night's live betting show, The Handicap, that I fancied the Cheetahs strongly at -8.5. I'm still very much in their camp, but I'm going to turn to the points markets instead.
The total points line is set at 63.5, and I think we're going to get a free-flowing game in what looks set to be good conditions.
My preference, though, is to focus on the Cheetahs who I feel are building nicely towards the playoffs. I'm going to back them to run up a big score and get to 38 points or more.
Cheetahs over 37.5 points is the play.
The week 7 blog will be up and running Monday morning latest
Bet: Sharks XV v Lions
Posted 21 August 19h01
Bet: 2 units (1–5) – Lions to win at 8/10 with BetXchange.
I was going to sit this game out after the Pumas-Griquas clash left me feeling pretty sour. But my early Stormers win bet arrived in some style against the Bulls, as did the overs, and I've managed to get back in front for the weekend.
So I can't resist having a bet here.
The Lions can move into the top four with a victory and, importantly, put their destiny in their own hands heading into the final round.
The Sharks are still mathematically in the hunt, but I think the more realistic motivation lies with the Lions. Hopefully that gives them the edge and, ultimately, the victory.
I am going to sit the points out as was thinking overs but am worried about humidity in the 90's.
Lions to win is the play.
Sharks v Lions Update
Posted 21 Aug 16h55
A poor start - the Pumas were woeful
The Sharks are +1.5 and the points line is 54.5 in Pietermaritzburg
I was looking at the overs but I see humidity is high and am not getting involved at this point.
If overs arrives in the Bulls game I will be back with a bet but if not will keep my powder dry and lick my wounds ahead of tomorrows big test.
Bet: Bulls XV v Stormers XXIII
Posted 21 August 08h08
Bet: 3 units (1–5) – Over 8.5 tries at 7/10 with PokerBet.
I'm already involved in this game with my early bet on the Stormers, and although the market hasn't moved quite as much as I expected, I'm pleased I got on early.
I don't trust either of these teams, though, and prefer looking at the points markets. On last night's The Handicap show, the total points line was sitting at 61.5, and I was bullish on the overs then, but it has now moved out to 63.5.
That has me looking at one of the more limited markets – and by limited, I mean very few bookmakers offer it in the Currie Cup, namely total tries.
Over 8.5 tries is available at 7/10 with PokerBet.
For over 63.5 points to arrive, we're probably going to need 10 tries in this game anyway, as I don't see too many penalties being taken unless things get really tight towards the end.
I'd therefore rather take the 7/10 about nine or more tries than the 9/10 about over 63.5 points.
I must say I'm looking forward to watching three Currie Cup games later today.
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Bet: Pumas v Griquas
Posted 20 August 23h48
Bet: 2 units (1–5) – Over 58.5 points at 0.93/1 with World Sports Betting.
These sides remain closely matched in the eyes of the bookmakers, with Griquas currently shading favouritism.
It's the points line that catches my eye, though, and with this being a 3 o'clock kick-off, I'm expecting the points to flow.
The Pumas have played some low-scoring encounters this season, but two of their games have gone soaring over this mark, and two of Griquas' five matches have done likewise.
I think we've reached the stage of the season where defensive intensity can slack off a little, and I like this overs bet to get the weekend going.
Over 58.5 points is the play.
Week 6 Handicaps are up!
Posted 20 Aug 06h43
The bookies are out and Betxchange handicaps in brackets next to mine
Pumas -3.5 (-0.5) v Griquas
Blue Bulls +5.5 (-0.5) v Stormers
Sharks -3.5 (+1.5) v Lions
Cheetahs -9.5 (-9.5) v Boland
Some differences ofopinion there but nothing big enough to have me fire any heavy ammo.
I am going to have an early interest on the Stormers XV to beat the Bulls though as I reckon that line could shift a bit.
Early Play: 2 units (1-5) Stormers win at 0.98/1 at WSB
Handicap Projections for Week 6
Posted 17 Aug 08h41
Here are my handicap projections for the coming week
Pumas -3.5 v Griquas
Blue Bulls +5.5 v Stormers
Sharks -3.5 v Lions
Cheetahs -9.5 v Boland
I find these games very tough to handicap so a difference between me and the bookies will not trigger a bet but rather further analyses, possibly followed by a bet.
Week 5 Review
Lions 29 Boland Cavaliers 38
There was money for the Lions, who were backed from -9.5 to -14.5, but it was Boland Cavaliers who caused the upset, winning comfortably at Ellis Park.
My bet here was over 60.5 points, which arrived with some room to spare.
Griquas 55 Sharks XV 21
Griquas were well backed here, moving from around -12.5 to -17.5. After looking a little shaky early on, they took control of the game and duly delivered for their supporters.
It was another winner for me, with over 63.5 points arriving fairly comfortably.
Pumas 29 Stormers XXIII 7
The handicap was fairly stable at around Pumas -6.5 during the week, although there was some support for the Stormers shortly before kick-off.
That included myself, as I took the Stormers at 3/1 to win the game. They dominated much of the first half but still found themselves behind at the break, and in the end they were well beaten by this Pumas side.
Blue Bulls 52 Cheetahs 62
The Bulls were +6.5 for this game and, at 42-17, it looked as though the Cheetahs were going to run away with a massive victory.
The Bulls came storming back, though, and managed to get within seven points before a late Cheetahs penalty pushed the final margin back out to ten.
I was on over 61.5 points, which remarkably had already arrived by halftime!
I'm still trying to figure out why the Cheetahs opted to kick that final penalty. They could simply have kicked the ball out and won the game. Had the penalty fallen short or dipped under the crossbar, for example, the Bulls could potentially have counter-attacked and levelled the match.
Table Update
Griquas and the Cheetahs are joint top of the table on 21 points with two matches remaining, with Griquas currently ahead on points difference.
The Pumas are third on 17 points, while Boland Cavaliers round out the semifinal positions on 16.
The Lions are three points further back on 13, meaning they remain very much in the hunt. The Stormers XXIII have 11 points and the Sharks XV are on 10, so both still have a mathematical chance of reaching the semifinals.
The Blue Bulls, meanwhile, are bottom on 3 points and can no longer qualify.
With only two rounds remaining, there is still plenty to play for, particularly in the battle for the final two semifinal positions.
Week 6 Fixtures
Friday 21 August
Pumas v Griquas – Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela
Blue Bulls v Stormers XXIII – Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Sharks XV v Lions – Woodburn Stadium, Pietermaritzburg
Sunday 23 August
Cheetahs v Boland Cavaliers – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
I'll be back on Monday with my handicap predictions for Week 6.