Lions 1/100 | Draw 33/1 | Griffons 14/1
Handicap
Lions 1/100 | Griffons 15/20
We head over to Johannesburg for our next fixture which will see the hapless Griffons take on the log-leading Lions. The hosts know they just need a win here to sew up top spot on the log and they may well rest a couple of their big guns as they look ahead to the semi-finals.
The Lions were in emphatic form against the Bulls last weekend as they ran out 33-57 victors at Midstream College. They were ruthless with ball-in-hand and ran in a number of scintillating tries in what was their eighth regular season win.
The Griffons, on the other hand, suffered one of their heavier defeats of the campaign as they went down 75-19 to the Sharks in Durban with the result seeing their points differential drop to -338.
Verdict: Lions (1/100)
I fear things may get worse for the Griffons here as the Lions – even if they do field a somewhat understrength side – will be on the hunt for a big score in front of their home faithful.
Saturday 7 September
Pumas 11/10 | Draw 25/1 | Cheetahs 15/20
Handicap
Pumas 11/10 | Cheetahs 15/20
It’s the big one for the weekend next up with the Pumas looking to pull off a home win that would see them book a semi-final berth at the expense of the Cheetahs
The Pumas have done well to keep themselves in the hunt for a semi-final berth although they will be grateful for the Cheetahs massive loss of form near the tail end of the regular season.
In terms of last weekend’s results, the Pumas gave a very good account of themselves against a Western Province outfit that was buoyed by the return of a few Springboks as well as a number of their URC players. The Pumas were actually in with a shout of winning the fixture right up until the final two minutes of the game where a Joseph Dweba try extended the host’s lead to an unmountable nine points.
The Cheetahs were far less impressive in their Round 9 fixture as they went down 44-31 to the Griquas. They did manage to score a vital fourth try in the final few minutes of the game which gave them a crucial losing bonus point.
Verdict: Pumas (11/10)
I fancy the Pumas to take this one on home soil and book a place in the semi-finals.
Sunday 8 September
Sharks 11/10 | Draw 25/1 | Bulls 15/20
Handicap
Sharks 11/10 | Bulls 15/20
The last of this season’s round-robin fixtures sees the Sharks and Bull square off in Durban. The two sides are extremely likely to meet again the following week in the semi-finals, although that fixture will be played in Pretoria.
The Natalians continued their fine run of form this past weekend as they hammered the hapless Griffons 75-19 in one of the Saturday evening fixtures.
While the Sharks made light work of their opponents in Round 9, the Bulls struggled in their Jukskei derby with the Lions going down 33-57 to Joburg’s finest. They will need to up their game tenfold this weekend as the Sharks are really on a hot-streak.
Verdict: Sharks (11/10)
I expect to see a lot of changes from both sides with the semi-finals looming large. I reckon this will play more into the hands of the hosts than it will the visitors.