We are down to the final 4 teams in the Currie Cup and we take a look at the 2 semi-final matches from a betting angle.
FRIDAY
BLUE BULLS v GRIQUAS
The Bulls finished 2nd on the log after suffering a 35-5 loss away to the Cheetahs last week. It means they have home advantage for their semi-final, but if they win against Griquas they will likely have to travel to Bloemfontein play the Cheetahs in the final.
Prior to the away loss to the Cheetahs the Bulls have played 3 home games in succession beating the Griquas by 10, the Lions by 6 and the Pumas by 5 points respectively.
They have padded their squad slightly with some URC players not required for the big game against the Stormers this weekend.
Griquas finished 3rd on the log and came from behind to beat the Pumas in a high scoring match last weekend. That game was in Nelspruit and was their second successive away victory having beaten Western Province with another come from behind effort in Cape Town the week before.
The Griquas have had to make a couple of injury enforced changes to their squad.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Blue Bulls 6/10
Draw 20/1
Griquas 13/8
Handicap: Blue Bulls -3.5
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Bulls under 12.5 points at 17/10
For this bet to arrive we need the Bulls to win, but by no more than 12 points and I think a tight encounter is on the cards and this bet would have arrived in the Bulls last 3 home games in the League stages.
Another bet I quite fancy is Jan-Hendrik Wessels to be the home team’s first try scorer at 6/1. I can see it now, an early penalty to the Bulls, kick to the corner and Jan-Hendrik Wessels plays conductor to score the try.
SATURDAY
FREE STATE CHEETAHS v PUMAS
The Cheetahs looked to have blown their chances of finishing top of the log when they lost away to the Griquas and at home to the Pumas in successive weeks, but they came back strongly last week beating the Bulls by 30 points in Bloemfontein and in so doing topped the table.
The Pumas will have been disappointed to blow a lead against Griquas last week eventually going down 45-44 and they ended up 4th on the table despite the loss, with the Sharks having lost to Western Province earlier in the day. Their last away game was a 29-28 victory over the Cheetahs and prior to that they lost by 5 points to the Bulls on the road.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Free State Cheetahs 2/9
Draw 28/1
Pumas 4/1
Handicap: Free State Cheetahs -10.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Cheetahs (-10.5) at 19/20
The Pumas are going to come hard at the Cheetahs, but I think the Cheetahs side showed last week what they are capable of and I expect them to absorb the early pressure before drawing clear to win comfortably.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
