The Blue Bulls and Free State Cheetahs clash at Loftus Versfeld in the highlight of the third round of the Currie Cup, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks face the Pumas in Durban.
Friday 19 July
Golden Lions 2/9 | Draw 25/1 | Griquas 3/1 (15:00)
The Lions ran amok in Mbombela last week, thrashing the Pumas 75-21 in a game that makes their title ambitions clear and could well set the tone for them this season. After a one-point win in Durban the week before, the Joburgers will be confident of keeping the momentum flowing against a team that shocked a Springbok-laden Sharks side last week.
After falling to the Pumas in round one, Griquas fought back from 7-24 down to claim a dramatic 34-31 win over the Durbanites in their next game. The Kimberley outfit will take plenty of heart out of that showing into this their first away clash of their campaign, but it’s difficult seeing them get past a Lions side in such fine form.
Verdict: Lions on the minus
Only one way to go in Joburg.
Blue Bulls 14/10 | Draw 25/1 | Free State Cheetahs 11/20 (17:00)
The Bulls eased past the Griffons last week after beating WP in the Cape and now face their toughest test yet in the form of the only other side to have claimed the maximum five-log points on offer this season. The Cheetahs have faced the same opponents as the Bulls and recorded similar results over the opening fortnight of action, with this game at Loftus set to be another closely contested affair.
Neither side should be affected by Springbok call-ups this week and the consistency in selection on both sides means the quality of the game will remain at a high level. Although the Bulls have shown glimpses of what they’re capable of in their openers, the Cheetahs are a well-oiled machine that could have the upper hand.
Verdict: Cheetahs 11/20
Get on the Free Staters to pick up a big win in Pretoria.
Hollywoodbets Sharks 9/20 | Draw 25/1 | Pumas 17/10 (19:00)
The Sharks’ defeat to the Griquas last week was a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering how many internationals featured in their run-on XV. With those Boks named by Rassie Erasmus for Saturday’s Test match against Portugal in Bloemfontein, it will again be up to JP Pietersen’s youngsters to make amends as they search for a first win against a Pumas outfit smarting from their recent annihilation in Mbombela.
Bouncing back immediately from a 54-point loss to win in Durban would surely rank among Jimmy Stonehouse’s side’s most impressive feats, but it just doesn’t seem likely considering how they played last week and the Sharks’ determination to get off the mark this season.
Verdict: Sharks 9/20
The hosts to bag their first win of the campaign.
Sunday 21 July
Griffons 6/1 | Draw 33/1 | Western Province 1/12 (15:00)
Western Province are nought for two but won’t have any trouble claiming their first bonus point victory of the campaign against a Griffons team that has already conceded 134 points this season.
Verdict: WP on the minus
There’s only one way to go here. Wait for the minus then pile on!
