Shaun Goosen previews this week's fourth round Currie Cup games taking place between Wednesday and Saturday.
Wednesday 7 July
WP v Griquas
15h45
Cape Town Stadium
To Win Match
Western Province 1/12
Draw 40/1
Griquas 6/1
Handicap
Western Province (-15.5) 17/20
Griquas (+15.5) 17/20
Western Province will be looking for a third win when they host the Griquas at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.
John Dobson’s men come off the back of a 32-31 victory against the Sharks that left them top of the standings. They will welcome back a number of returning players, with the coach Dobson having made six changes to his side for this one.
Loose forwards Nama Xaba and Johan du Toit come into the starting XV, while there is also a place for former St Andrew’s College head boy Sazi Sandi. Juan de Jongh has been named among the replacements and could make a first appearance in five years.
The visitors were beaten 26-22 by the Pumas at the Mbombela on Saturday and must put in a massive shift to beat such a potent Province lineup.
Verdict: Province (-15.5) 17/20
Griquas may not have the quality to avoid a heavy defeat.
Friday 9 July
Free State Cheetahs v Pumas
16h00
Toyota Stadium
Betting TBA
The clash of the round sees the Cheetahs host the Pumas at the Toyota Stadium on Friday.
The Cheetahs’ round three matchup with the Bulls was called off due to positive Covid-19 infections within the camp and the game was subsequently deemed a 0-0 result with the Bulls awarded four-log points and Hawies Fourie’s side zero.
Having lost out to the Griquas in their only other game this season, the 2019 champions will be going all in against the Pumas here.
That said, Jimmy Stonehouse’s men have been their typical abrasive selves, walloping the Lions in Johannesburg, narrowly losing out to the Bulls in Pretoria before seeing off the Griquas in Mbombela. They’ll head to Bloemfontein expecting a win.
Verdict: Pumas
The ambitious visitors should sneak another win here against an undercooked Cheetahs side.
Saturday 10 July
Sharks v Lions
14h30
Jonsson Kings Park
Betting TBA
The Sharks will play their second game in four days when they take on the Lions at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday.
Sean Everitt’s side tackle the British & Irish Lions on Wednesday and the outcome of Saturday’s clash will depend greatly on their ability to bounce back from their midweek one.
The Sharks will be properly buggered after taking on what is a hugely talented British & Irish Lions side and may not have enough left in the tank by the time the men from Jozi head to the coast.
The Lions will be pretty bruised themselves from their whipping at the hands of the Europeans but should sneak a close one at Kings Park.
Verdict: Lions
Cash van Rooyen’s troops should regroup to claim this one against a weary Sharks outfit.
