The Currie Cup throws up a trans-Jukskei Derby this weekend with the Bulls and Lions clashing at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday the 1st September.
The headline clash of this weekend’s Currie Cup action will see the Bulls and Lions go head-to-head in Pretoria. The hosts will be looking to bounce back from their Round 2 defeat to the Sharks while the visitors will be looking to build on their victory over the Griquas.
Blue Bulls v Golden Lions
Saturday 1 September
Loftus Versfeld
15:00
To Win (80 Mins) *
Bulls 8/11
Draw 20/1
Lions 6/5
Handicap *
Bulls (+2) 9/10
Lions (-2) 9/10
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls have been on an emotional roller coaster over the past few months with John Mitchell rumoured to be on his way out of the union unless he got a huge of amount of cash to rebuild, and then Pote Human coming into the Currie Cup head coaching role and winning his first match.
While the Bulls would have been euphoric about their 12-34 opening round bonus-point victory over the Cheetahs, that euphoria would have evaporated somewhat after last Saturday’s 26-10 loss to the Sharks, where they were thoroughly outplayed.
The good news for the Bulls is that they will get a few Springboks back for this week’s clash with the Lions. Scrumhalf, Embrose Papier is likely to return to the starting XV alongside flanker Marco Van Staden.
Lions
They may be missing most of their Super Rugby all-star cast but the Lions still managed to produce a scintillating start to their 2018 season as they beat the Griquas 62-41.
In all honesty, the Lions could have won it by more than 30 points had it not been for some lapse second-half performances.
Key to the Lions bonus point winning start was castaway Springbok Ross Cronje. The diminutive half-back really did spark the Lions with his snipes around the fringe causing the Griquas all sorts of problems. Another Springbok in the wilderness who put in an eye-catching display last week was Cortnall Skosan, who grabbed a hat-trick of tries.
Verdict: Bulls (+2) 9/10
I reckon this game will be a high-scoring affair, with counter punch after counter punch being thrown. My main bets for this game will be the live points spreads, but I will also be having a crack on the Bulls plus.
* Forecast odds and handicaps
