The Hollywoodbets Sharks face a daunting trip to Bloemfontein to take on the Free State Cheetahs in the pick of the seventh round of the Currie Cup this weekend. Shaun Goosen previews the round seven action.
Friday 16 August
Pumas 33/10 | Draw 25/1 | Blue Bulls 2/9 (17:15)
Handicap
Pumas (+11.5) 9/10 | Bulls (-11.5) 9/10
The fourth-placed Pumas’ second big loss to the Lions this season means they are now just a point better off the Hollywoodbets Sharks and trail their first-placed opponents this week by a seemingly unassailable eight points. They do deliver at home more often than not but will be hard-pressed to hold off this powerful Bulls lineup.
The Pretoria side will be well aware that their advantage at the top of the standings is a meagre three points and won’t therefore take anything for granted against a Pumas outfit capable of inflicting some real damage. That said, they should have the minerals to record a win in Mbombela.
Verdict: Bulls (-11.5) 9/10
The visitors to keep alive their unbeaten run.
Saturday 17 August
Lions 2/11 | Draw 33/1 | Western Province 15/4 (15:00)
Handicap tba
Lions | Western Province
The second-placed Lions come into this clash after two good wins over Griquas and Pumas and should keep the momentum flowing against a Province outfit that is yet to find its feet in 2024. Trailing the Bulls by just three points, a bonus point should go a long way in the arm wrestle to finish first.
WP dropped to sixth after their defeat to the Cheetahs in Cape Town last week. While injuries haven’t helped their cause, the reality is they seem some way off competing with the big dogs this season and shouldn’t challenge the Lions in Johannesburg for the full eighty.
Verdict: Lions on the minus
The hosts to rack up a comfortable win.
Cheetahs 5/10 | Draw 28/1 | Hollywoodbets Sharks 16/10 (17:15)
Handicap tba
Cheetahs | Sharks
The Cheetahs dropped to third after the Lions’ big win last week, but they have an ideal shot at keeping things tight at the summit of the standings with a win over a young Sharks side. Izak van der Westhuizen’s charges will certainly be tested by the Durbanites on attack, but if they stick to their guns and play as intelligently as they have done, their experience should take care of the rest.
The Sharks are just a point off the top four following their big win over Griquas in the last round, but Saturday represents their greatest challenge yet under JP Pietersen. While they’ve shown massive improvement over the past three weeks after a slow start, it’s unlikely they are yet at a stage where they can expect to go to Toyota Stadium and knock over the defending champs.
Verdict: Cheetahs 5/10
The Cheetahs should get the job done at home against a motivated albeit inexperienced Sharks outfit.
Sunday 18 August
Griffons 5/1 | Draw 33/1 | Griquas 1/8 (15:00)
Handicap tba
Griffons | Griquas
The Griffons may not truly be capable of competing at this level, but their improvement continued at Loftus Versfeld last week in admirably scoring three converted tries against the table-toppers. Coming up against a Griquas side just one spot above them on the log presents them with their best opportunity yet of achieving an elusive win.
The 2022 runners-up suffered a 21-40 defeat at the hands of the Sharks in Durban last week which all but knocked them out of the semi-final race. Although they are expected to earn a second win of the campaign at North West Stadium, they could be ambushed by their valiant hosts on Sunday.
Verdict: Griffons 5/1
Get on the Griffons to upset the applecart and grab their first victory of the season.
