We preview the opening round of the 2017 Currie Cup which gets underway this Friday evening.
The world’s oldest rugby competitions gets underway this Friday evening and even the most ardent of rugby fans would be forgiven for having not penned this one down in their diary as the Super Rugby quarter-finals are happening on the same weekend. And while the battle between the Southern Hemisphere’s big gun franchise’s will be the highlight for most rugby fans and punters, to overlook the Currie Cup would be a rather silly move as there is some great value floating around, even at this early a point in the competition.
Cheetahs v Sharks | Friday 21 July | Toyota Stadium | 19:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Cheetahs 2/13 | Draw 25/1 | Sharks 4/1
Handicap
Cheetahs (-12.5) 17/20 | Sharks (+12.5) 17/20
I’m going to keep this one short and sweet as I fear this young Sharks side are in for a rough night out in Bloemfontein. This will really be a makeshift Natal team with the seniors taking on the Lions in a Super Rugby quarter-final. The Sharks youngsters struggled during the recently concluded SuperSport Challenge and I feel they are in for much harder time against a nearly full strength Free State side.
Verdict: Cheetahs (-12.5) 17/20
The Cheetahs should have no problems seeing off this under-strength Sharks outfit. Get on the hosts to clear a moderate handicap at 12/20!
Griquas v Bulls | Saturday 22 July | Tafel Larger Stadium | 19:30
To Win (80 Mins)
Griquas 28/10 | Draw 25/1 | Bulls 1/4
Handicap
Griquas | Bulls *Handicap to be added upon release
The Bulls, with John Mitchell in toe, will be the first side to make the much-feared trip to Kimberley, where a physical Griquas side will lay in wait. The visitors struggled to make a mark in Super Rugby this season, but there is an upshot to that as they are not able to field a full strength side for the opening few rounds of the Currie Cup unlike the Lions, Sharks and Western Province.
The Griquas had a decent enough SuperSport Rugby Challenge ending the tournament as runners-up after going down to a very handy Western Province side in the final. You can expect the Griquas to look to assert themselves physically here and try and get under the skin of their opponents.
Verdict: Bulls 1/4
I’m always a bit cautious during the opening round of the Currie Cup so it will come as no surprise when I tell you that I’ll be avoiding the handicap and backing the Bulls straight win at 1/4 – it’s not the best value but I’m confident the Bulls will win it albeit by a narrow margin.
Pumas v Lions | Sunday 23 July | Mbombela Stadium | 14:30
To Win (80 Mins)
Pumas 33/10 | Draw 25/1 | Lions 1/5
Handicap
Pumas | Lions *To be added upon release
The Pumas and Lions close out the opening round of the Currie Cup this Sunday. The visitors will field a second string side which will be led by former Sharks man, Ryan Kankowski. And while the hosts will be at full strength, they’re in for a real testing Sunday afternoon with this Lions squad containing some extremely fleet-footed backs.
The Pumas had a rather poor SuperSport Rugby Challenge and were unable to progress to the semi-finals while the Lions squad managed to make it to the semis despite being made up of mainly young guns.
Verdict: Lions (-) 17/20 *Handicap to be added upon release
The handicap is likely to open up around the 12.5 mark and I’m pretty confident this Lions side will clear anything above 15 points.
