Written by @QuintenLetcher for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Both Western Province and the Golden Lions managed to come away with valuable bonus point victories last weekend, and with just three rounds left of the regular season, the table-topping duo look destined for home semi-final spots this year. A bit lower down on the table, the Sharks finally turned their fortunes around with a compelling 26-15 victory over the Blue Bulls at Loftus, allowing the defending champions the opportunity to sneak past a stagnated Pumas side that has seemingly run out of gas at the most crucial point of the Premier Division race. The Cheetahs did their bit to keep the possibility of a winless season very much alive for the hapless Kings by picking up a convincing 22-37 victory down in Port Elizabeth, leaving the Free State side just a point behind the Sharks as we head into the eighth round of clashes. But with a daunting fixture list that has them facing off against the Bulls, Province and the Lions over the next few weeks, their chances of making the playoffs remain slim at best.
Pumas vs Western Province | Friday 26 September | Mbombela Stadium | 19:00
A fairytale ending to the Pumas’ first season back in the top tier looks less likely as an in-form Province side heads to Mbombela Stadium this Friday.
To Win (80mins)
Pumas 28/10
Western Province 2/7
Draw 28/1
Handicaps
Pumas (+9.5) 9/10
Western Province (-9.5) 9/10
Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has made sweeping changes to his side ahead of their crucial clash with the table-topping Province this Friday. Three changes to the forward pack see Frankie Herne taking over from Francois du Toit at hooker, Jaco Bouwer replacing Uzair Cassiem at flank and Marius Coetzer taking over from Frikkie Spies in the second row. In the backline, JC Roos will start at pivot with Justin van Staden as backup on the bench, JW Bell replaces Coenie van Wyk at fullback and Ruwellyn Isbell takes over from Jerome Pretorius on the wing. Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has decided to ditch his rotation policy, making just one change for their clash with the Pumas, as vice-captain Pat Cilliers returns to the run on side with Brok Harris dropping to the bench.
VERDICT: Pumas (+9.5) 9/10
Despite their poor form over the past few rounds the Pumas have managed to hold their own against the bigger unions remarkably well considering they have only just returned to the Premier Division. They also remain unbeaten at home this season, and while I can’t see them taking down this strong Province side, I can see them pushing the visitors close enough to collect on the handicap.
Free State Cheetahs vs Blue Bulls | Friday 26 September | Free State Stadium | 19:10
With this being by far the easiest of the Cheetahs’ remaining clashes before the knock-out stages commence, victory really is the only option for Rory Duncan’s young side.
To Win (80mins)
Cheetahs 11/20
Bulls 31/20
Draw 25/1
Handicaps
Cheetahs (-3.5) 9/10
Bulls (+3.5) 9/10
Cheetahs coach Rory Duncan’s first season in charge has been somewhat of a baptism of fire, but things have taken a significant turn for the better as Coenie Oosthuizen, Jean Cook and Rayno Benjamin have all recovered from injury to take up spots in the starting XV this week, bringing with them invaluable Super Rugby experience. The Bulls welcome back skipper Deon Stegmann, who sat last week’s clash out after being cited for foul play back in Round 6. Stegmann will start on the flank, with Wiaan Liebenberg falling to the bench. In the backline, the visitors welcome the return of evasive Akona Ndungane to the right wing and strong running JJ Engelbrecht at centre.
VERDICT: Bulls 31/20
Both sides have battled with consistency this season, but the Bulls seemed to be building some powerful momentum prior to last week’s home defeat to the Sharks, and even managed to come away with an impressive 36-26 victory over the Lions back in Round 5. At 31/20 for an outright win, this is certainly the value bet of the weekend.
Sharks vs Eastern Province Kings | Saturday 27 September | Kings Park | 14:00
With clashes against the Golden Lions and Western Province to follow, the Sharks will need to make the most of home ground advantage this weekend to have any hope of making it through to the playoffs.
To Win (80mins)
Sharks 1/50
Kings 14/1
Draw 40/1
Handicaps
Sharks (-25.5) 9/10
Kings (+25.5) 9/10
The Sharks managed to end a three-week winless run with a powerful performance against the Bulls last Saturday, but the cost of that victory is still to be finalised. Prop Thomas du Toit has been ruled out with a toe injury, while scrumhalf Conrad Hoffman, lock Stephan Lewis and loose forward Jacques Botes are racing against time to be cleared for action this week. The winless Kings have several injury concerns of their own. Captain Steven Sykes and Lizo Gqoboka have been ruled out with injuries, while tighthead prop Tom Botha has yet to be cleared for battle after sustaining an elbow injury last week.
VERDICT: Sharks (-25.5) 9/10
The Sharks showed last week that they have every intention of going all the way to the final to defend their crown, and with the underperforming Kings having lost yet another two key players to injury ahead of Saturday’s clash, the 25.5 handicap doesn’t seem all that demanding of the home side.
Griquas vs Golden Lions | Saturday 27 September | GWK Park | 15:00
An unlikely Griquas victory over the fleet-footed Lions this week would substantially improve the chances of a top four-finish for several sides, unfortunately for the lads from Kimberley, they are not one of those sides.
To Win (80mins)
Griquas 5/2
Lions 3/10
Draw 25/1
Handicaps
Griquas (+7.5) 9/10
Lions (-7.5) 9/10
Griquas have been hit with several inopportune injuries in key positions ahead of this week’s clash with the Lions. Injuries to number eight Burger Schoeman, flanker Marnus Schoeman and front-rower Steph Roberts have led to a reshuffled forward pack with Carel Greef starting at eighthman, lock Jaco Nepgen filling in on the flank and Janro Van Niekerk coming in at prop. In the backline, playmaker Francois Brummer has also been ruled out with injury and is replaced by Dean Grant, while skipper Doppies la Grange returns to the midfield to take over from Wayne Stevens. Great news for the Lions this week, as sensational pivot Marnitz Boshoff has made a speedier recovery than anticipated and has been named on the bench. In the midfield, exciting youngster Howard Mnisi claims his debut start and teams up with skipper Lionel Mapoe. Two changes to the forwards this week see Jacques van Rooyen and Warwick Tecklenburg coming into the run on side.
VERDICT: Lions (-7.5) 9/10
This one is a no-brainer. I wouldn’t have given a full strength Griquas much of a chance, so an injury crippled Griquas taking on an in-form Lions with the added firepower of Marnitz Boshoff coming off the bench can really only go one way.
Think we’ve got it wrong? Well leave your comments below and tell us how you think this is going to play out.
