In a weekend of rematches, round four of the Currie Cup sees the Griffons host the Free State Cheetahs, the Hollywoodbets Sharks visit the Golden Lions, the Blue Bulls face Western Province at Loftus and the Pumas tackle the Griquas in Mbombela.
Friday 26 July
Griffons 14/1 | Draw 40/1 | Free State Cheetahs N/A (15:00)
Handicap
Griffons (+44.5) 17/20 | Cheetahs (-44.5) 17/20
In the Bloemfontein reverse fixture in the opening round, the Griffons fell 20-82, which gives some insight into what we can expect at the Down Touch Investments Stadium on Friday. Unfortunately, it’s set to be another long afternoon for the Purple People Eaters.
Verdict: Cheetahs (-44.5) 17/20
The Free Staters at a canter.
Saturday 27 July
Golden Lions 1/6 | Draw 30/1 | Hollywoodbets Sharks 4/1 (15:00)
Handicap
Lions (-12.5) 17/20 | Sharks (+12.5) 17/20
Along with the Bulls, the Lions are the last remaining unbeaten side in the competition though that record will be under serious threat in Joburg on Saturday. The hosts head into this one off the back of a solid 25-13 defeat of Griquas and on the basis of their performances so far, are looking likely to go deep into the tournament. With a last title coming all the way back in 2015, this current crop is looking hungry as ever to put an end to the drought.
JP Pietersen’s young Sharks team have endured plenty of early season growing pains so far. Narrow losses in each of their opening three games has seen the Durbanites placed seventh overall ahead of Saturday’s clash, and while they should push the Lions hard, it’s difficult to envisage them one-upping Joburgers.
Verdict: Sharks (+12.5) 17/20
The Sharks should be well up for this one, but the Lions have been playing exceptionally well of late.
Blue Bulls 1/4 | Draw 25/1 | Western Province 3/1 (17:15)
Handicap
Bulls (-9.5) 17/20 | Western Province (+9.5) 17/20
The Bulls made a big statement in seeing off the Cheetahs 25-13 in Pretoria last week, a result which sees them level with the Lions at the summit of the standings, albeit second on points difference. They beat Province 30-25 in round one in the Cape and should be confident of making it two for two against their southern rivals given their current form.
WP got their first win in a 64-15 result at Griffons in the previous round which will stand them in good stead for their trip to Pretoria. Still, theirs is far from the classic all-conquering Province sides of yore, and it’s unlikely they have enough quality to topple a purring Bulls unit at home.
Verdict: Western Province (+9.5) 17/20
The hosts will collect their second win over WP this weekend.
Sunday 28 July
Pumas 1/5 | Draw 28/1 | Griquas 33/10 (14:00)
Handicap
Pumas (-10.5) 17/20 | Griquas (+10.5) 17/20
The Pumas’ 31–21 win in Durban last week has set them up superbly for their second outing against Griquas, a side they saw off 44-24 in Kimberley. Despite a second-round aberration against the Lions (they lost 75-21), Jimmy Stonehouse’s men are level on points with the Cheetahs in fourth on the log and remain in a strong position to continue contesting for a knockout spot.
After their round two win over the Sharks, the Griquas copped their second loss of the campaign in Joburg last week. Given the recent rivalry between the sides, and especially considering the result on the opening weekend of action, the Pieter Bergh-coached side will be hitting back hard in Mbombela on Sunday.
Verdict: Griquas (+10.5) 17/20
I’m on the visitors to avenge their round one loss with an upset win over last season’s runners-up here. But you can offload a lot of that risk by backing them on the double-digitat handicap.
