The Cheetahs XV will get their 2019 Currie Cup campaign underway when they take on the Bulls in the second of the three Round 2 games on Friday the 19th of June.
The opening weekend of the 2019 Currie Cup did not disappoint with the Griquas bonus point 13-37 victory over the Sharks throwing the cat amongst the pigeons.
The men from Griquland will be looking to make it two wins on the trot when they take on a Pumas side, who went down by just a solitary point to the Lions last Saturday, in Friday’s opener. Following the conclusion of that fixture, we move onto Loftus Versfeld where the Cheetahs will take on the Bulls. The round comes to a close on Saturday with a coastal derby between the Sharks and Western Province.
Griquas v Pumas
Friday 19 June
Tafel Larger Park
17:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Griquas
Draw
Pumas
Handicap
Griquas
Pumas
*Odds and handicaps to be added upon release
We kick this weekend’s proceedings off at Tafel Larger Park where minnow sides the Griquas and Pumas will collide. The duo produced impressive displays during the opening round with the Griquas hammering a Sharks side laden with Super Rugby talent 13-37, and the Pumas going down by just a solitary point to the Lions.
The two sides have already met twice this year in the recently concluded SuperSport Rugby Challenge with the Pumas winning the round-robin encounter 37-28 and the Griquas getting their revenge in the final of the tournament where they ran out 13-28 victors.
Verdict: Griquas
Tafel Larger Stadium is always a hard venue to get a win at and I cannot see the Pumas breaking the Griquas home ground dominance. My money is on the hosts taking this one by more than seven points.
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Blue Bulls v Cheetahs XV
Friday 12 June
Loftus Versfeld
19:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Blue Bulls
Draw
Cheetahs XV
Handicap
Blue Bulls
Cheetahs XV
*Odds and handicaps to be added upon release
We close out Friday’s doubleheader with a clash between the Blue Bulls and the Free State Cheetahs. The hosts will be kicking themselves after last weekend’s 20-5 defeat to Western Province as they butchered a number of second-half try-scoring opportunities that would have seen them at least finish within a losing bonus point of their opponents.
The Free Staters enjoyed a bye last week and will be eager to open their campaign with a victory having finished last season with no wins to their name.
Verdict: Blue Bulls
Games between these two are never a dull affair with a lot of high-scoring thrillers occurring in the recent past. My money is on the Bulls taking another high scoring game by in excess of eight points.
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Sharks XV v Western Province
Saturday 13 June
Kings Park
14:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Sharks XV
Draw
Western Province
Handicap
Sharks XV
Western Province
*Odds and handicaps to be added upon release
The Sharks XV will be looking to bounce back from a shocking start to their campaign when they take on a solid looking Western Province side in Durban this Saturday. The hosts were dire against the Griquas last Friday making a number of handling errors and putting in a poor defensive display. They will need to work on a number of basics this week if they are to give this polished Western Province side a run for their money.
While their coastal rivals struggled to get into the grove, Western Province had no such issues putting in a great performance in their opening game against the Bulls. Their scrum demolished the opposition pack, while their backs were extremely clinical in the second stanza.
Verdict: Western Province
There has been a strange quirk in recent meetings between these two sides with the away team tending to win the fixture. I can see that trend continuing here.
