SuperSport’s Phaka show host Kaunda Ntunja gives us his predictions for the 2nd round of the 2019 Rugby Championship, as well as Round 3 of the Currie Cup Premier Division! View his picks below, and get your bets on with Hollywoodbets!
Currie Cup
Pumas vs Blue Bulls
Friday 26 July 2019, 19:15
To Win
Pumas 16/10
Draw 25/1
Blue Bulls 5/10
Handicap
Pumas +5.5 (9/10)
Difficult match to call because both teams have not won a match thus far. To be fair to the Pumas though, they haven’t played at home yet and that is why I’ll go with them to come through this encounter with a narrow victory.
Phaka Prediction: Pumas to win by 6 points.
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Free State Cheetahs vs Griquas
Saturday 27th July 2019, 15:00
To Win
Free State Cheetahs 1/4
Draw 28/1
Griquas 3/1
Handicap
Free State Cheetahs +9.5 (9/10)
The Cheetahs haven’t beaten Griquas in the Currie Cup since 2016. However, it is important to note that the Griquas have in the recent past gone up against the Cheetahs while they were disrupted by Pro14 commitments. That will not be a factor here as this will be strength vs strength and that is an arm wrestle that will see the Cheetahs come out victorious.
Phaka Prediction: Free State Cheetahs to win by 10 points.
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Western Province vs Golden Lions
Saturday 27th July 2019, 17:15
To Win
Western Province 1/8
Draw 30/1
Golden Lions 5/1
Handicap
Western Province -14.5 (9/10)
The return of Dillyn Leyds from Bok duty will be a huge boost for Western province as he is one of the biggest attacking threats in the competition. Marvin Orie also returns from Bok duty for the Lions and that will mean that their lineouts will be marshaled by a reliable jumper. I don’t see WP losing at Newlands this year.
Phaka Prediction: Western Province to win by 8 points.
Rugby Championship
New Zealand vs South Africa
Saturday 27th July 2019, 09:35
To Win
New Zealand 1/4
Draw 28/1
South Africa 3/1
Handicap
New Zealand -11.5 (9/10)
Both countries have picked very strong lineups for this one. There is a huge psychological advantage that will go with the spoils here because the World Cup is around the corner. The Boks haven’t won 2 tests in a row vs the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2008/2009 and after beating them at the very same Westpac Stadium last year that they will play in again this year…greatness awaits. The exclusion of Ardie Savea for this one could be the difference. It’s difficult to bet against the best team in the world at home so I’ll be conservative and call a close All Black win.
Phaka Prediction: New Zealand to win by 4 points.
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Australia vs Argentina
Saturday 27th July 2019, 11:45
To Win
Australia 11/20
Draw 25/1
Argentina 15/10
Handicap
Australia -4.5 (9/10)
Argentina pushed the All Blacks to the limit last week while the Wallabies were competitive until ill discipline cost them and a yellow card led to their capitulation. I see that Will Genia and Kurtley Beale are starting for the Wallabies and that is huge because those are both x-factor players. Agustin Creevy is injured and that sways it Australia’s way for me. I’m excited to see Facundo Isa and Santiago Cordero back in the mix for Argentina. One is a solid ball carrier and the other a speedy winger who has got a knack of scoring tries in big occasions. This will be close but I’m expecting the home side to win.
Phaka Prediction: Australia to win by 5 points.
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