The Currie Cup pool stage reaches its final round this weekend, with plenty still to play for. The Griquas and Cheetahs have both already booked their semi-final spots, however, both sides will want a top-of-the-log finish and the home semi-final that comes with it.
Boland and the Pumas need to hold onto their 3rd and 4th place spots, as the next three teams are all right behind them and any slip-up could see them drop out of the top four. The Lions, Sharks, and Stormers XXIII all still need a win to have any chance of sneaking through, so we can expect a fully committed round of rugby.
Friday
Lions v Stormers XXIII— Click here to bet
After two wins in Rounds two and three, the Lions are yet to find winning form again, losing two and drawing one of their last three fixtures. They played the Sharks last weekend away from home and drew the match 22-22. They will need a win this weekend to stand any chance of making the semi-finals.
The Stormers XXIII have won three and lost three, also needing a win to stand a chance at progressing. They are coming off the back of a solid 50-26 win over the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend.
Head-to-Head
The Lions have dominated the H2H, winning four of the last five between the sides, with the only Stormers XXIII win coming back in 2023. The most recent match saw the Lions win 40-19 at home.
Betting and Verdict
The Lions are favourites at 1.40 while the Stormers XXIII are trading at 3.50 with the draw at 23.00. The handicap is Lions -6.5.
Both sides are in desperate need of a win, but we think it will be a tall ask for the Stormers XXIII to cause an upset in Johannesburg. The Lions have dominated the fixture and, looking at the last result between the sides where they ran out 40-19 winners, we think they cover the handicap again.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Lions [-6.5] at 1.87.
Sharks XV v Bulls XV — Click here to bet
The Sharks have won two games, drawn another and lost the other three. They mathematically still have a chance of making it to the semi-finals but would need a number of results to go in their favour. They hosted the Lions last weekend and drew the match 22-22.
The Bulls XV nightmare season continued last weekend as they lost their sixth game in a row, 50-26 to the Stormers XXIII at home.
Head-to-Head
The Bulls have had the upper hand in the H2H over the last two years in all competitions, winning three of the last five between the sides. The last time the sides met in the Currie Cup in Durban, the Sharks won the game 24-18.
Betting and Verdict
The bookies have the Sharks at 1.12 while the Bulls are trading at 8.00, and the draw is priced at 36.00. The handicap is Sharks -14.5.
The Bulls XV haven’t looked good at all this season with six straight losses, and with nothing to play for we don’t think we will see much of a bounce-back from them. The Sharks still have a chance of sneaking through and have looked strong at home, going undefeated in Durban so far. We think they will comfortably cover the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sharks [-14.5] at 1.91
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Saturday
Pumas v Cheetahs — Click here to bet
Both sides will be desperate for a win, with the Pumas looking to hold on to their top-four spot and the Cheetahs looking to finish top of the table.
The Pumas were on a roll winning three in a row against Boland, the Bulls XV and the Stormers XXIII, but then fell short against the Griquas last weekend at home, losing the game 38-14.
The Cheetahs have been near perfect this season, with their only loss coming against the Griquas away from home in Round three.
Head-to-Head
The Cheetahs have won their last four matches against the Pumas in the Currie Cup with the Pumas last win coming back in 2023. The most recent fixture saw the Cheetahs win 42-25 at home last year.
Betting and Verdict
The Pumas are trading at 2.25 while the Cheetahs are at 1.83 with the draw 26.00. The handicap is the Cheetahs at [-1.5].
We do think we are going to have one of the most exciting games of the season on our hands with both teams desperate for a win, but the Cheetahs have looked so strong this season, and with the Pumas coming off the back of a loss, we think the Cheetahs should be able to cover the small handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Cheetahs [-1.5] at 1.90.
Sunday
Boland v Griquas — Click here to bet
Another crunch match with both teams desperately wanting a win.
Boland have had another strong season, winning three games and currently sitting fourth on the log, knowing they need to win to lock down their semi-final spot. They travelled to Bloemfontein last weekend, where they lost 33-24 to the Cheetahs.
The Griquas have looked brilliant since their loss in the first round to the Stormers XXIII in Cape Town, going on to win their next five games in a row. They put on a dominant display last weekend, beating the Pumas 38-14 away from home.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have only met once in recent times, last year in the pool stage of the tournament. The Griquas hosted the match and won the game 48-39.
Betting and Verdict
The bookies have the Griquas as favourites to win, trading at 1.47 while Boland are trading at 3.15 and the draw is priced at 22.00. The handicap is Griquas at [-5.5].
Boland have looked solid again this year, but the defending Champions have looked absolutely unstoppable. With only one loss all season back in July, they haven’t looked like losing again since, and with form like this we think they can easily cover the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Griquas [-5.5] at 1.93.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
