We are down to the last two in this year’s Currie Cup as the Lions host the Griquas at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday 27 September. In this blog, we’ll recap the semi-finals and then turn our attention to the big final, covering betting angles, handicaps, weather, team news, and suggested plays.
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Bet: Lions v Griquas
Posted 20 Sep 10h33
3 units Griquas +23.5 at 9/10 at WSB
The handicap is -21.5 to -23.5 Lions depending on where you shop.
The Lions beat Griquas by more than this margin 2 weeks ago but I was impressed with Griquas defense against the Cheetahs and I am going to back them to push the Lions a lot closer this week.
The points line looks about right at 56.5 and if pushed I would go Griquas overs at 17.5.
Points at last!
Posted 20 Sep 09h25
Pokerbet are out with points lines and as predicted on Thursdays nights betting show "The Handicap" it is 56.5 points.
It is a bit overcast and windy in Joburg this morning but forecast suggests it will clear.
The handicap is generally -22.5 Lions but you can get a point either side if you shop around.
I will wait for a few more markets and will be back with a bet.
Betting update
Posted 19 Sep 14h32
The betting has been stable at Lions -22.5 and I am waiting for points lines.
The weather and Lions teams have been added below.
I will get a bet down Friday night or Saturday morning
Currie Cup Final - Match Details and Lineups
Posted 18 Sep 14h28
Date: Saturday, September 20
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Christopher Allison
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Egon Seconds
Weather: Mid 20's, clear, dry, humidity in late 30's - click here for updates
Lions: 15 Quan Horn (captain), 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (vice-captain), 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.
Griquas: 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelenedaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Derik Pretorius, 3 Cebo Dlamini (captain), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids.
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, Connor Mahoney.
Money continues to pour onto the Lions with -22.5 and now -23.5
Money for the Lions
Posted 16 Sep 07h59
The Lions have moved from -15.5 to -17.5 almost where I capped the game at -18.5.
HANDICAP FOR THE FINAL IS OUT
Posted 15 Sep 12h00
I handicapped this game -18.5 Lions and the opening line at Betxchange is -15.5
Match Odds
Golden Lions 7/50
Draw 28/1
Griquas 5/1
Handicap
Lions -15.5 (9/10)
Griquas +15.5 (9/10)
Bets Recap – Semi-Finals
Lions v Boland
Bet: 5 units Lions -12.5 at 9/10 (Betxchange) ✅
The Lions blew Boland away 67–19, covering the handicap with ease and rewarding the early play although even -21.5 backers would have collected with no stress.
Griquas v Cheetahs
Bet: 3 units Under 62.5 points at 0.96/1 (Betxchange) ✅
The semi-final in Kimberley finished 25–5 (total 30 points), never threatening the line.
Currie Cup Final – Handicap Projection
This is what I am thinking the handicap will be, these teams met 2 weeks ago and the assumption is that the Lions will still have their URC players.
Lions -18.5 v Griquas
I am sitting on a 25/1 Griquas outright ticket but the injection of the URC players means that is still a long shot