The final round of the Currie Cup regular season action is upon us and with top spot on the log and the semi-final lineout to be confirmed we should have an exciting weekend of rugby betting ahead.
FRIDAY
WESTERN PROVINCE v SHARKS
Western Province have only won 2 matches all season and are out of playoff contention. Last week they had a massive lead at home to Griquas, but somehow managed to lose the match after the hooter.
They face a Sharks side that currently sit 5th on the table on 26 points, 1 point behind the Pumas who host the Griquas in the late kick-off. The Sharks will be targeting a bonus point win to put the pressure onto the Pumas.
Last week the Sharks were in action at home against a strong Golden Lions side loaded with URC players and they led early before going down 32-38.
These sides met earlier in the season in Durban with the Sharks winning 35-20 and last time they met in Cape Town in 2021 Western Province came out 32-31 victors.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Western Province 5/1
Draw 30/1
Sharks 2/11
Handicap: Western Province +11.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Western Province +11.5 at 9/10
This Western Province side looks much improved and although the Sharks have named a side capable of doing the business they have disappointed many times this season and my money is on the home side to beat the handicap at the Danie Craven Stadium.
PUMAS v GRIQUAS
The Pumas are 4th on the table, 4 points behind the Griquas in 3rd and to leap frog the Griquas they have to draw level with them on points as their points differential is superior, in other words they need to score at least the same number of bonus points as the Griquas while still beating them. The Pumas pulled off an impressive 29-28 victory away to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last week and as mentioned above, the Griquas came from absolutely nowhere to stun Western Province 43-41 in Cape Town.
The Griquas beat the Pumas 41-20 in Kimberley earlier this season and the Pumas edged the Griquas 26-22 when they hosted in 2021.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Pumas 9/20
Draw 22/1
Griquas 22/10
Handicap: Pumas -5.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Pumas -5.5 at 9/10
I think the Pumas will be the hungrier of the sides and although they often disappoint when priced as favourites, I am backing them to win going away by 6 points or more.
SATURDAY
CHEETAHS v BLUE BULLS
The Cheetahs trail the Bulls by 4 points heading into this final fixture, but they have a slightly superior points difference so have a realistic chance of topping the table.
The Cheetahs have been their own worst enemy in recent weeks getting hammered by the Griquas in Kimberley before going down by a point to the Pumas last week. The Bulls are coming off a bye last week and prior to that beat the Pumas 31-26 in Pretoria.
When these sides met earlier in the season, the Cheetahs started underdogs, but were well backed and won the game 38-25 in Pretoria. These sides haven't met in Bloem since 2018 when the Bulls won 34-12.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Cheetahs 9/20
Draw 25/1
Bulls 18/10
Handicap: Cheetahs -5.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Cheetahs -5.5 at 9/10
The Cheetahs have looked lethargic in recent weeks, but I am backing them to bounce back to their best and beat the handicap and most likely top the table.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change