The Currie Cup rolls on into round three this weekend, with all four fixtures spread across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After a compelling opening two rounds, some clear form lines have started to emerge and Boland and the Cheetahs sit top of the pile with two wins from two, the Griquas and Lions bounced back from opening-round defeats with big wins last time out, and the Sharks and Stormers XXII will be looking to get back to winning ways after both fell in round two.
FRIDAY
Griquas v Cheetahs — Click here to bet
After an opening-round loss against the Stormers XXII, the Griquas bounced back in style to beat the Bulls 56-22 at home last weekend. The Cheetahs are coming into this game off the back of two wins, beating the Lions 29-27 in round one and following it up with a solid 43-21 win against the Sharks last weekend at home.
Head-to-Head
The Griquas have won their last three games against the Cheetahs, including two at home and one away. The last time the two sides met, the Griquas won 25-5 at home. The last time the Cheetahs beat the Griquas was back in 2023, when they won 42-19 away from home.
Betting and Verdict
The Griquas are at 1.80 while the Cheetahs are at 2.15, the draw is 31.00 and the handicap is Griquas -1.5.
Both sides looked solid last weekend, delivering big wins with plenty of tries. However, looking at the recent head-to-head, the Griquas definitely have the upper hand between the two sides, and with home advantage and the momentum of that big win over the Bulls, we think they will be able to cover the small handicap this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Griquas [-1.5] at 1.91
SATURDAY
Stormers XXII v Sharks — Click here to bet
Both sides got off to solid starts with wins in round one, but both ended up falling short in the second round. The Stormers XXII lost 41-3 to Boland away from home, while the Sharks lost 43-21 to the Cheetahs, also away from home.
Head-to-Head
The Sharks have won three of the last five in the head-to-head, including the most recent encounter where they beat the Stormers XXII 29-21 in the Currie Cup last year. The last time the two sides met in Cape Town, the Sharks won 31-23 back in 2024.
Betting and Verdict
The Stormers XXII are trading at 2.00 while the Sharks are at 1.95, and the draw is at 26.00. The handicap is Stormers XXII +0.5.
Although on paper the Sharks may be able to deliver an away win given the recent H2H, the Stormers XXII’s round-one performance at home showed that Cape Town is no easy place to go and win. For that reason we think the Stormers XXII bounce back and win this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Stormers XXII win at 2.00.
Lions v Bulls — Click here to bet
After an opening-round defeat against the Cheetahs, where they lost 27-29 in Bloemfontein, the Lions came back to pull off a brilliant win against the Pumas at home last weekend, winning 52-29. The Bulls have had a much tougher start to the season, losing both of their games so far. The first saw them lose 24-10 to Boland, while the second saw them lose 56-26 to the Griquas away from home.
Head-to-Head
The Bulls have won three of the last five matches between the two sides, however the last time the sides met in the Currie Cup in Johannesburg, the Lions hammered the Bulls 44-5.
Betting and Verdict
The Lions are at 1.08 while the Bulls are at 9.50, the draw is currently at 41.00, and the handicap is Lions -16.5.
The Bulls have had a very tough start to the season, and although they are returning to the Highveld, they still have to play another away game against a Lions side that is now in the groove. The Lions come into this match off the back of a brilliant win last weekend and, based on last year’s H2H result at the same venue where they hammered the Bulls 44-5, we think they will easily cover the 16.5-point handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Lions [-16.5] at 1.93
SUNDAY
Boland v Pumas — Click here to bet
Boland have got off to another flying start in the Currie Cup this year. After beating the Bulls 24-10 in the first round, they delivered a battering to the Stormers XXII in the second, with the match ending 41-3. Both matches were played at home. The Pumas, on the other hand, are yet to win a game this season. After losing 24-26 to the Sharks at home in round one, they then lost 52-29 to the Lions away from home in round two.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have not met often in recent years, with only one fixture being played between them since 2020. That was last year’s Currie Cup group-stage game, where Boland won the match 29-26 away from home.
Betting and Verdict
Boland are trading at 1.12 while the Pumas are at 7.50, and the draw is at 41.00. The handicap is Boland -13.5.
We saw what Boland did last year at home, and it looks like they are on the same path again this year, winning two out of two from home comfortably. With the Pumas coming off the back of two losses and heading into another away trip, we think we will see Boland get another solid win and cover the 15.5-point handicap comfortably.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Boland [-13.5] at 1.83
Click here for betting on all the weekend’s Currie Cup matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
