Written by @QuintenLetcher for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Western Province continue to set the pace atop the table as we head into the final two rounds of the regular season, brushing past an ailing Pumas side last week to leave them four points ahead of the pack after eight rounds of Currie Cup action. The Lions, not far behind in second spot, all but guaranteed themselves a home semi-final as they roared past an innocuous Griquas side in Kimberley, but they’ll need to fend off a rejuvenated Sharks side this round when the two meet in Durban. The Sharks are not far off in third following their uncharitable 29-point battering of the hapless Kings in Durban last week. Round 8’s mixed results also sees the mid-table tussle intensify ten-fold, with the Bull Bulls clinching that crucial away victory over the Free State Cheetah. Just a point now separates the Pumas, Cheetahs and Bulls in fourth, fifth and sixth spots respectively.
Pumas vs Blue Bulls | Friday 03 October | Mbombela Stadium | 19:00
Despite their quick pace out of the starting blocks in their first season back in the Premier Division, a recent loss of form leaves the Pumas with their backs against the wall as the competition starts to wrap up, and suffering a second consecutive home defeat this Friday would almost certainly spell the end for the ambitious bunch from Mpumalanga.
To Win (80mins)
Pumas 14/10
Bulls 6/10
Draw 25/1
Handicaps
Pumas (+3.5) 9/10
Bulls (-3.5) 9/10
The Pumas have made just one change for their must-win clash with the Bulls this week, with Justin van Staden reclaiming his number ten spot from JC Roos, who drops out of the match day squad altogether. The Bulls have also kept the changes to minimum this week with Rudy Paige and Callie Visagie rotating with Piet van Zyl and Bongi Mbonambi.
VERDICT: Bulls (-3.5) 9/10
The Bulls were back to their old ways last week, wearing down the Cheetahs for a boring victory. And with the Pumas having just had their empowering home record crushed by Province last weekend, I am certain the Bulls will be able to do the same at Mbombela Stadium this week.
Sharks vs Golden Lions | Friday 03 October | Kings Park | 19:10
A home victory will be enough to secure the defending champs a spot in the playoffs, but the Sharks will be aiming a bit higher this Friday as a maximum five points could see them drawing level with the Lions on thirty points, making the prospects of a home semi imminent.
To Win (80mins)
Sharks 17/20
Lions 19/20
Draw 22/1
The Sharks will be glad to have the likes of Stephan Lewies and Thomas du Toit back to beef up their pack for this crucial clash. The Sharks looked far more lethal on attack last week than they have for the past few rounds of Currie Cup action, but it would be hard to not look impressive against the Kings. This week they face a more ferocious opponent, and with the menacing Marnitz Boshoff returning to flyhalf for the visitors, the Sharks defence is going to be thoroughly tested this Friday. In other changes for the Lions, Robbie Coetzee and Schalk van der Merwe come into the front row.
VERDICT: Sharks 17/20
This one is probably too close to call so I’ll back the Sharks for a narrow victory purely because they’re at home.
Free State Cheetahs vs Western Province | Saturday 04 October | Free State Stadium | 14:00
By foolishly failing to pick up that vital home victory over the Bulls last week, the Cheetahs have now left themselves with the insurmountable task of putting both Province and the Lions to the sword over the next two rounds in order to advance to the playoffs.
To Win (80mins)
Cheetahs 2/1
Western Province 4/10
Draw 25/1
Handicaps
Cheetahs (+6.5) 9/10
Western Province (-6.5) 9/10
The Cheetahs have made just two changes following their home loss to the Bulls, both injury enforced. Rayno Benjamin is replaced on the wing by JP du Plessis and Jean Cook is replaced on the flank by Neil Claassen. Western Province have made five changes to their run on side, four of them due to injury. Dillyn Leyds makes his debut at fullback this week while in the pack we meet a new a second row pairing of Rynhardt Elstadt and Manuel Carizza.
VERDICT: Western Province (-6.5) 9/10
Even with all the new recruits in the Province team I can’t this lacklustre Cheetahs side offering much resistance.
Griquas vs Eastern Province Kings | Saturday 04 October | GWK Park | 14:30
A contest so insignificant in the Currie Cup spectrum, I’m surprised they haven’t called it off. Still, there’s money to be made for the punter.
To Win (80mins)
Griquas 3/20
Kings 9/2
Draw 30/1
Handicaps
Griquas (-12.5) 9/10
Kings (12.5) 9/10
Griquas will be without the valuable services of Hilton Lobberts, the only player in their side with Test experience, after the powerful bruiser picked up a knee injury. Having already lost François Brummer earlier in the season, the Peacock Blues could battle up front this week. The Kings run out with their fourth captain of the season, Cameron Lindsay taking over from the injured Darron Nell, while Tim Agaba takes over from Stefan Willemse in the only other change for the visitors.
VERDICT: Griquas (-12.5) 9/10
Griquas will be looking to take the maximum points from their clash with Carlos Spencer’s experimental Kings side, seeing as this is likely to be their last taste of victory for the season unless they plan on shocking us all in their final fixture against the Bulls at Loftus next week.
Think we’ve got it wrong? Well leave your comments below and tell us how you think this is going to play out.
