The Cheetahs and the Pumas will contest the final of the Currie Cup in Bloemfontein on Saturday where the home side start as firm favourites with the bookmakers.
Cheetahs v Pumas, Saturday 24th June, Bloemfontein, KO 16:00 (South African time)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: AM Jacobs, Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Egon Seconds
Weather Forecast - Bloemfontein
Cheetahs:
The Cheetahs were 3.5 point underdogs for last weekend's home semi final against the Blue Bulls but they made short work of their opponents with a 39-10 victory. They led 20-3 at half time and didn't let up with Ruan Pienaar kicking 22 of their points.
The Cheetahs topped the standings in the regular season. They won 9 of their 14 matches, drawing 1 and losing 4. They finished 3 points clear of the Sharks with the Pumas 11 points back and the Bulls 13 adrift in fourth.
Their two clashes with the Pumas delivered contrasting results. In Bloem on 31st March the Pumas romped to a 61-21 victory whilst the return in Nelspruit as recently as the 3rd June saw the Cheetahs come out on top 29-14.
Pumas:
The Pumas were also underdogs for their semi final clash away to the Sharks with the handicap line settling at around 8.5 points. They led 19-17 at half time and deservedly won the game 26-20 although there were some nervous moments at the death.
The Pumas finished third on the log with a record of 8 wins and 6 defeats and they were 11 points behind the Cheetahs. They secured their play off place with a 27-17 victory over Griquas in a must win game in Kimberley in the final round of matches.
The Pumas are the defending champions having beaten the Griquas in the 2022 final and in the semi finals of 2022 they beat the Cheetahs at this venue 38-35.
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Team News
Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Mox Moxoli.
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Jeandre Rudolph, 20 George Cronje, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Robert Ebersohn
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Andrew Kota, 13 Diego Appolis, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Francois Kleinhans, 6 Andre Fouche, 5 Shane Kirkwood (captain), 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Simon Raw, 2 Pieter Jacobs, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Deward Martitz, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Gene Willemse, 23 Wian van Niekerk
Recent Head to Head (Currie Cup)
2023 Pumas 14-29 Cheetahs
2023 Cheetahs 21-61 Pumas
2022 Cheetahs 35–38 Pumas (semi final)
2022 Cheetahs 28–29 Pumas
2022 Pumas 17–28 Cheetahs
2021 Pumas 28-19 Cheetahs
2021 Cheetahs 17-16 Pumas
2020 Pumas 31-35 Cheetahs
2019 Pumas 37-43 Cheetahs
2018 Cheetahs 14-42 Pumas
2017 Cheetahs 33-32 Pumas
2017 Pumas 34-45 Cheetahs
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23 June 09h40
Cheetahs -7.5 points at 9/10
Pumas +8.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I handicapped this game at Cheetahs -10.5 so I have been a bit surprised to see the line come in to -7.5 in places although I sense it may be about to move back out. The Pumas were excellent against the Sharks but the Cheetahs appear to have found their early season form and they were comfortable winners at home to the Bulls last week. With a passionate home crowd behind them I am back the Cheetahs to beat the handicap.
The total points line is 54.5 and at that line I am in the unders camp as Pumas matches have been low scoring of late. I am not going to get further involved at this stage though and will stick with my handicap play for now.
Bet: 5 units Cheetahs -7.5 at 0.92/1 at Betway*
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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