We are down to the final four in the Currie Cup, with Griquas taking on the Lions in Kimberley and the Cheetahs up against the Pumas in Bloemfontein.
In this blog, we'll keep an eye on all things betting-related as we build towards the two semi-finals.
Bet: Cheetahs v Pumas
Posted 06 September 10h30
3 units (1–5): Under 56.5 points at 0.92/1 with PokerBet
The handicap for this match has been fairly stable throughout the week, with the Cheetahs currently -7.5 and the total-points line set at 56.5.
Hanrick mentioned on Thursday night’s rugby betting show that he fancied the unders in this game irrespective of the weather. With some rain and wind also forecast, I’m very much in the unders camp.
The Pumas are a side who enjoy playing attacking rugby, but I fancy them to adopt a fairly tight and conservative approach here. I certainly don’t expect anything resembling the high-scoring match we saw in Nelspruit last weekend.
Bet: Griquas v Lions
Posted 06 September 09h46
2 units (1–5): Griquas -9.5 at 10/11 with World Sports Betting
I had been waiting for the team announcements before getting involved, as I wanted to make sure the Lions didn’t call on any of their URC players. They have, however, kept faith with the players who took them through to the Currie Cup semifinals.
Griquas have been the standout team in the competition for me. With the experienced George Whitehead at flyhalf, I can see them controlling the game in what may be difficult conditions, with rain and fairly significant wind forecast for Kimberley.
The total-points line of 57.5 would normally tempt me into an overs play in Kimberley, but given the weather forecast, I’m going to stick with the handicap.
Currie Cup Sunday morning betting update
Posted 06 September 09h26
We now have total-points lines for the Currie Cup semifinals, with 57.5 quoted for Griquas v Lions and 56.5 for Cheetahs v Pumas. I have also seen a line of 54.5 available for the latter match.
There hasn’t been much movement in the handicaps, although support appears to have arrived for Griquas, who are back out to their opening handicap of -9.5.
The Cheetahs remain -7.5 in places but are now as high as -9.5 with some bookmakers.
I’ll be back shortly with my bets for the semifinals.
Currie Cup betting update
Posted 05 September 09h31
There has been very little action on the Currie Cup betting front, mainly because very few bookmakers have priced up yet.
World Sports Betting were, as far as I could see, the first to release their odds, and the handicaps have remained stable at Griquas -9.5 and Cheetahs -7.5.
We now wait in anticipation for the total-points lines, which will hopefully be available later today. Although I’m leaning towards Griquas on the minus, I would prefer to see the points markets before making my final calls.
Handicaps are out!
Posted 03 Sep 19h28
Below are the semi-final handicaps in brackets next to mine
Griquas -7.5 (-9.5) v Lions
Cheetahs -7.5 (-7.5) v Pumas
The Handicap - rugby betting chat is live at 21h00 on Thursday
Projected Handicaps
Posted 31 Aug 16h13
Here are my projected semi-final handicaps
Griquas -7.5 v Lions
Cheetahs -7.5 v Pumas
Round 7 Review
Lions 36 Stormers XVIII 12
The Lions were well backed from -3 to -6.5 and duly delivered for their supporters.
This wasn't a great game for me, as I was on the Stormers to win early in the week and then went for an overs play on Stormers tries, which was never in the running.
Sharks XV 53 Bulls XV 22
The Sharks were well backed from -11.5 to -14.5, and for the second game in a row the money was spot on as they ran out comfortable winners.
I was on Bulls under 23.5 points, and thanks to some missed conversions, it snuck home.
Pumas 52 Cheetahs 26
The Cheetahs were slight favourites for this game, and I must say I thought they would win fairly comfortably.
I went for a bet that I wouldn't normally go for, which was over 58.5 points and the Cheetahs to win. I should have just stuck to the points, as the Cheetahs were well beaten while the points cruised home.
Boland 17 Griquas 48
Given that Griquas only needed a bonus point to top the log, I thought they might ease off at some point, but it was not to be, and Boland, who needed the win, were well beaten.
Fortunately, I kept my interest to the total points, where I was on over 59.5, and it arrived fairly comfortably in the end.
Currie Cup Semi-Final Fixtures
Griquas v Lions – Kimberley
Cheetahs v Pumas – Bloemfontein
I'll be back with my handicap projections on Monday.
