SuperSport’s Phaka Show host, Kaunda Ntunja, gives us his predictions for this weekend’s Bledisloe 2 and South Africa’s Test against Argentina. Kaunda also goes on to tip the results of this weekend’s three Currie Cup fixtures which see Griquas host Western Province, the Cheetahs travelling to the Pumas and the big one up in Jozi, the Lions vs the Sharks.
International
Bledisloe 2 – New Zealand vs Australia
To Win
New Zealand 1/7
Draw 30/1
Australia 47/10
Handicap
New Zealand (-14.5) 9/10
Australia (+14.5) 9/10
The Wallabies shocked the world last week by emphatically dispatching the Mighty All Blacks. In response, the All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has dropped three senior players. This match is at Eden Park where they haven’t lost to the Wallabies in over three decades. This one will be entertaining but I have to go with the home side.
Phaka Prediction:
New Zealand to win by 8 points.
South Africa vs Argentina
To Win
South Africa 1/12
Draw 30/1
New Zealand 13/2
Handicap
South Africa (-19.5) 9/10
Argentina (+19.5) 9/10
This is a tough one to call because Rassie Erasmus has chosen an experimental team that has a new captain and players that weren’t part of his original squad. Boks should win it but there will be no synergy in the team therefore, it could be a scrappy affair.
Phaka Prediction:
South Africa to win by 5 points.
Currie Cup
Griquas vs Western Province
To Win
Griquas 22/10
Draw 25/1
Western Province 38/100
Handicap
Griquas (+7.5) 9/10
Western Province (-7.5) 9/10
Western Province have a huge issue going into this fixture. The Springboks have taken four of their players who participated in the thrashing of the Pumas last week. This has led to Province coach John Dobson scrambling to find replacements. Griquas could not be in a better position to cause yet another Currie Cup upset than this one.
Phaka Prediction:
Griquas to win by 4 points.
Pumas vs Free State Cheetahs
The Pumas officially got knocked out of the tournament last week after losing against Western Province. The Cheetahs, on the other hand, will be desperate for the points after losing to the Sharks at Kings Park. The Cheetahs probably only need one win to secure a semi-final spot, and this looks to be the ideal fixture in which to secure it.
To Win
Pumas 36/10
Draw 30/1
Cheetahs 1/5
Handicap
Pumas TBA
Cheetahs TBA
Phaka Prediction:
Free State Cheetahs to win by 15 points.
Golden Lions vs Sharks
To Win
Lions 5/10
Draw 25/1
Sharks 16/10
Handicap
Lions TBA
Sharks TBA
Curwin Bosch’s injury will ultimately prove to be a massive factor. The Sharks’ coach Sean Everitt has gone for a huge gamble and picked an uncapped youngster Boeta Chamberlain at flyhalf. Without a proven general the Sharks might end up losing a close encounter.
Phaka Prediction
Golden Lions to win by 3 points.
