The Currie Cup continues this weekend and we take a look at all 4 matches from a betting angle.
The Cheetahs have moved to outright favourites for the Currie Cup at 5/2 displacing the Pumas who have drifted to 28/10 after a defeat to the Sharks last week. Western Province and the Sharks are priced at 33/10, you can get 10/1 the Lions, 12/1 the Bulls and 14/1 and better the balance.
Click here for the latest Currie Cup Outright Betting
FRIDAY
Sharks v Blue Bulls – Click here to bet
The Sharks are currently 4th on the table with 3 wins and 2 defeats in their opening 5 games. They turned in one of their better performances in Week 5 beating the Pumas 19-12 at home in a low scoring affair in a game where they started as underdogs. The week before that they were beaten by 12 points on the road against the Lions.
The Bulls are currently 7th on the log and got their first win of the season at home to the Griquas last week where they were well backed from underdogs to 12 point favourites. They won 40-3, but were able to call on the majority of their URC squad something they won’t be able to do this week. The week before that the Bulls were stunned 32-28 away at the Griffons.
Handicap: Sharks -12.5
I feel like the Sharks have too much depth for this Blue Bulls side and I am going to go for the home team here by 13 or more.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sharks -12.5 at 9/10
SATURDAY
Western Province v Cheetahs – Click here to bet
Western Province are 3rd on the log with 3 wins and 2 defeats and they got back on the winning trail last week with a not too convincing 47-28 point win over the Griffons at home. The week before they had been beaten 32-13 at home by the Griquas.
The Cheetahs are 2nd on the table with 4 wins and 1 defeat, but that defeat came two weeks ago when their main squad was over in Europe playing in the Challenge Cup. Last week though they righted the ship with a convincing 52-15 win over the Lions away.
Handicap: Western Province +16.5
This handicap looks big +16.5 for Western Province, but for my money it is not big enough.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Cheetahs -16.5 at 9/10
SUNDAY
Griffons v Pumas – Click here to bet
The Griffons are currently bottom of the table with 1 win and 4 losses in their 5 matches. They gave Western Province quite a scare last week before getting well beaten and the week before had stunned the Bulls with a 4 point victory at home.
The Pumas are top of the log, but dropped their first points of the season last week when they went down 12-19 to the Sharks in Durban. The week before that they had pulverised an under-strength Cheetahs side in Bloemfontein beating them 61-21.
Handicap: Griffons +21.5
I am expecting the Pumas team would have got a good talking to after last week and I am expecting the gulf in class between these sides to be too much for the Griffons.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Pumas -21.5 at 9/10
Lions v Griquas – Click here to bet
The Lions are 5th on the log with 2 victories and 3 defeats in their opening 5 games and they face the Griquas who sit 1 position below them with the same win/loss ratio, but with less bonus points.
The Lions were well beaten 15-52 at home by the Cheetahs last week and the week before that they had beaten the Sharks 34-22 at home in a game where they had started underdogs.
Griquas were well beaten by the Bulls at Loftus last week, but it was a full strength Bulls side and they can be forgiven for that one. The week before they turned in their best performance of the season with a 32-13 away victory over Western Province.
Handicap: Lions +4.5
After a slow start to the season I have been impressed by Griquas of late and I think they are going to have too much for this Lions team, missing all of its URC players.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Griquas -4.5 at 9/10
Click here for betting on all of the other rugby matches taking place this weekend
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
