In the pick of the ninth and penultimate round of the Currie Cup, the Blue Bulls and Golden Lions will battle it out at Loftus Versfeld in a clash that could decide who finishes at the summit of the standings.
Friday 30 August
Griquas 26/10 | Draw 25/1 | Free State Cheetahs 3/10 (15:00)
Handicap
Griquas (+9.5) 9/10 | Cheetahs (-9.5) 9/10
Griquas never really got going this season, with their recent 24-47 defeat in Pretoria marking their sixth loss of the campaign. There will be plenty for Pieter Bergh and his troops to improve on going forward but as for this weekend, a matchup with the Cheetahs arguably couldn’t have come at a worse time.
The Free Staters are fresh off a second consecutive home loss, that in the form of a 21-38 defeat to the Lions which saw them drop to fourth. With the fifth-placed Pumas just level with them on 24 points, the defending champions should be resurgent this weekend.
Verdict: Cheetahs (-9.5) 9/10
The visitors to take all five log points on offer in Kimberley.
Blue Bulls 8/10 | Draw 25/1 | Golden Lions 1/1 (17:15)
The log-leading Bulls are just three points better off their opponents this week, with a tricky test in Durban still to come in the final round. That means it’s imperative for Phiwe Nomlomo to get the result in Pretoria on Friday and put themselves in an ideal position to finish top and remain on track to potentially host the final down the line. This firing Lions unit will be their biggest challenge to date however.
The Joburgers have shown some fantastic form of late, claiming seven wins from eight with just a solitary defeat coming at the hands of the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in round four. They put the Cheetahs away in a clinical display at Toyota Stadium a week ago to keep their first-place hopes alive and will be frothing at the chance to inflict a first defeat on their trans-Jukskei rivals.
Verdict: Lions 1/1
This could well be the game of the season so far, and with the Lions seemingly peaking at the right time, get on them to dethrone the Bulls in their own backyard.
Saturday 31 August
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV 1/100 | Draw 40/1 | Griffons 14/1 (13:00)
John Plumtree takes over the coaching reigns at the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV from JP Pietersen this week as he looks to continue preparation for the upcoming URC season. As such, a number of senior players are expected to front up for the Durbanites in this one as they look to get match-ready for the European campaign ahead. While a much-changed side may show signs of rustiness and a lack of cohesion, their enduring quality means the Griffons shouldn’t get near them at the Tank.
Verdict: Sharks (-)
Get on the Sharks to continue the momentum ahead of the playoffs and pick up another win at home.
Sunday 1 September
Western Province 9/10 | Draw 25/1 | Pumas 9/10 (15:00)
Handicap tba
WP’s title hopes were ended against the Sharks last week and although that will be a bitter pill to swallow for the competition’s most successful team, the youngsters they’ve blooded over the course of the season could become valuable assets for the union in the medium-to-long term. With a trip to Kimberley on the cards next week, this clash marks the side’s final hurrah in Cape Town which should give them a mindset boost against a difficult Pumas outfit.
Jimmy Stonehouse’s men are right on the edge of the top four following their 45-26 win over Griffons, sitting fifth and locked on points with the fourth-placed Cheetahs. They are desperate and will be playing for much more than WP come Sunday, which will make them doubly dangerous.
Verdict: Pumas 9/10
Get on the visitors to keep alive their playoff chances with a win in the Cape.
