The 2026 Currie Cup heads into the final round of group action this weekend, with the battle for the remaining semifinal places going down to the wire. In this blog, we recap Week 6 from a betting angle, look at the latest standings and keep an eye on all things betting-related ahead of Week 7.
Week 7 Projected Handicaps
Posted 24 Aug 08h01
Below my projected handicaps for week 7
Lions +5.5 v Stormers XVIII - the winner of this game has a good chance to progress as long as both the Pumas and Boland don't win. It will be interesting to see if any URC players are drafted in given the importance of the game.
Sharks XV -9.5 v Blue Bull XV - the Sharks are unlikely to progress even with a 5 pointer but going into this game they will still have a chance.
Pumas +9.5 v Cheetahs - The Pumas could lose with bonus points and still progress but they will likely need to win to guarantee safe passage and the Cheetahs will want to win and go top at least for a day.
Boland +5.5 v Griquas - Griquas will likely need to win to finish top and Boland will need to win to get into the last 4
As usual I find these games tough to handicap and lets see what the bookies think.
Week 6 Review
Pumas 14 Griquas 38
Griquas were well backed to start narrow favourites in this one, and they duly delivered with a comfortable victory against a toothless Pumas side.
I was on over 58.5 points, and although the game got within a score of the line towards the end, it never really looked a runner in a scrappy encounter.
Bulls XV 26 Stormers XXIII 50
My early play was to take the Stormers to win at just under even money, and I later added over 8.5 tries at 7/10.
Both bets arrived in some style as the Stormers ran out comfortable winners. The Bulls have had an awful season and are the only side without a mathematical chance of making the semifinals.
Sharks XV 22 Lions 22
I was originally leaning towards over 54.5 points but talked myself out of that one and instead ended up backing the Lions to win at 8/10.
It was a back-and-forth match, but when the Lions scored in the final minute with a very kickable conversion to come, I thought I was going to grab the win.
The conversion was missed, though, and the match finished in a draw.
Cheetahs 33 Boland Cavaliers 24
I liked the overs in this one and specifically the Cheetahs, who I also fancied on the handicap at -8.5.
Rather than taking the handicap, I went for Cheetahs over 37.5 points, and somehow they butchered a try with around four minutes remaining.
To be fair, the bet never really looked like winning until the final 10 minutes, but having got into that position, I was very disappointed not to land the spoils. That result ended up bringing me back to square on all my rugby betting for the weekend.
Table Update
This is the final round of group action, with the top four teams progressing to the semifinals.
Griquas and the Cheetahs have already guaranteed their semifinal places, with Griquas leading the standings on 26 points, one clear of the Cheetahs on 25. They are guaranteed to finish first and second, although the order is still to be decided.
The battle for the other two semifinal positions remains wide open.
The Pumas are third on 17 points, with Boland Cavaliers and Stormers XXIII both on 16. The Lions are on 15, while the Sharks XV have 13 and still have a mathematical chance of making the last four.
Only the Blue Bulls, on five points and without a win this season, are out of contention.
Week 7 Fixtures
Friday 28 August
Lions v Stormers XXIII – 17:05, Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Sharks XV v Blue Bulls XV – 19:15, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Saturday 29 August
Pumas v Cheetahs – 14:00, Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela
Sunday 30 August
Boland Cavaliers v Griquas – 15:00, Boland Stadium
I'll be back with my handicap projections for the final round of Currie Cup action.
