Written by @QuintenLetcher for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
It would seem that common sense has finally prevailed as we see the return of the eight team format to the Currie Cup’s Premier Division this year. For the past two seasons there has been no option but to endure a “strength versus strength” six side struggle that ultimately led to the incongruous inclusion of mediocrity in the semi-finals of the country’s preeminent domestic competition. The Lions provided a perfect example of this last season by managing to secure a spot in the playoffs after winning just four of their ten regular season clashes. The five Super Rugby representatives are joined by Griquas, who earned their spot by taking down the Leopards in a qualifying clash, the Pumas, who clinched the first division title in phenomenal fashion after going unbeaten for the entire competition, and the overly politicised Eastern Province Kings, who return to the top tier after a bothersome twelve-year absence.
Eastern Province Kings vs Western Province | Friday 08 August | Nelson Mandela Stadium | 19:10
The season kicks off with an interesting battle between the two losing Currie Cup finalists from last season.
To Win (80mins)
Kings 5/1
Province 1/7
Draw 28/1
Handicaps
Kings (+12.5) 9/10
Province (-12.5) 9/10
With former All Black playmaker Carlos Spencer running the show down in the Eastern Cape, we can certainly expect the Kings to be heading out with an edgy running game in mind when they take to the field in front of their home crowd this Friday. They have a couple of big names in their ranks and Luke Watson unsurprisingly leads out the Premier Division newcomers, while Gary van Aswegen starts at pivot against his former team mates and Springbok prop CJ van der Linde will come on off the bench. Province field a relatively inexperienced side, but have fortunately been granted the use of a Springbok star Eben Etzebeth this weekend, with the burly youngster teaming up with Los Pumas lock Manuel Carizza in the second row.
VERDICT: Kings (+12.5) 9/10
The impermeable Province defence should see Allister Coetzee’s team starting the season on a winning note, but the home side should have enough zeal to come close to the spoils.
Griquas vs Sharks | Saturday 09 August | GWK Park | 15:00
The defending champions run out on the notoriously harsh, unforgiving tar-like terrain of GWK Stadium for an opening round clash against Griquas.
To Win (80mins)
Griquas 16/10
Sharks 5/10
Draw 28/1
Handicaps
Griquas (+4.5) 9/10
Sharks (-4.5) 9/10
Griquas have been a troublesome lot at home for the bigger unions for some time now, and this weekend should be no different. Coach Hawies Fourie has retained the core of the side that secured their spot in the top eight. Talented loose forwards Marnus Schoeman and Carel Greef have been invaluable at the breakdowns for the Peacock Blues and will inevitably pester their opponents to no end this Saturday. The Sharks head out with both a new captain in Tera Mtembu, and a new coach as Brad McLeod-Henderson steps in for Jake White for the domestic season. Having lost a host of key players to the national squad, the side has been left precariously lacking in depth in key areas such as loose forwards and scrumhalf, where Cameron Wright makes his debut this week.
VERDICT: Griquas (+4.5) 9/10
Griquas are always going to be tough at home, but the Sharks have retained enough of their Super Rugby talent to prevent too much of a bloodbath. Should be a tight one, and if the visitors can manage a win I can’t see it being by much more than a couple of points.
Golden Lions vs Blue Bulls | Saturday 09 August | Ellis Park | 17:05
The Bulls won’t have forgotten their humbling loss to the Lions in their last outing to Ellis Park back in the Super Rugby competition, so they’ll be aiming to settle the score this time around.
To Win (80mins)
Lions 11/20
Bulls 31/20
Draw 25/1
Handicaps
Lions (-4.5) 9/10
Bulls (+4.5) 9/10
The Lions have the advantage of being completely unaffected by Springbok call ups, allowing coach Ackerman the ability to build on his side’s respectable performance in the Super XV. Number eight Warren Whitely retains the captaincy for the Lions, and the steady boot of Marnitz Boshoff will feature at pivot. The Bulls have lost a couple of big names to the national squad but have still managed to throw together a reasonably strong starting side with the likes of Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Jono Ross, Grant Hattingh and Callie Visage in the ranks.
VERDICT: Bulls 31/20
The Lions have been an impressive force at home this year, but the Bulls have two-time Super Rugby winning coach Frans Ludeke back in the coaching seat, replacing the ineffective Pine Pienaar, which I feel will make all the difference this week. And with an unencumbered Bulls victory paying a generous 31/20 this has to be the value bet of the weekend.
Pumas vs Free State Cheetahs | Saturday 09 August | Mbombela Stadium | 19:10
The Pumas kick off the first clash of their returning season to the Premier Division with a stern test against a new look Cheetahs.
To Win (80mins)
Pumas 17/10
Cheetahs 9/20
Draw 28/1
Handicaps
Pumas (+5.5) 9/10
Cheetahs (-5.5) 9/10
Last year’s ABSA Coach of the Year winner Jimmy Stonehouse will be keen to test his First Division champions against the bigger unions. He has a couple of Super Rugby hardened men in the run on side, with Stefan Watermeyer and JW Jonker teaming up in the midfield. The Cheetahs will be looking to bounce back from their dismal showing in this year’s Super XV, a task made more daunting by the loss of several of their game changing Springboks like Willie le Roux, Adriaan Strauss and Cornal Hendricks. They also kick off the season with a new coach in Rory Duncan.
VERDICT: Pumas 17/10
The Pumas are undoubtedly the strongest of the smaller unions featuring in the new look Premier Division, and with the somewhat experimental Cheetahs squad heading to Nelspruit this weekend with the inexperienced Duncan at the helm, I, for one, wouldn’t consider a Pumas victory an upset.
