Anticipated Outcomes for Currie Cup: Round Nine
Beyond the Script This weekend's high-octane rugby action promises to be a nail-biter, as the Currie Cup reaches its penultimate round!
First off, let's take a look at the heavyweight cattle market – The Jukskei derby on Friday, which will essentially decide the log's top spot. The undefeated Bulls (36 points) face the Lions (33 points), with the Sharks XV trailing behind on 26 points, and the rest of the competition struggling to keep up with just 24 points each. The Cheetahs and Pumas are left behind, running on 14 and 3 log points, respectively, while the winless Griffons manage a meager three points.
Get ready for a showdown at Midstream College, with the top-of-the-table clash preceding the Central derby in Kimberley. The other two matches will feature the Sharks XV hosting the Griffons at Kings Park on Saturday and Western Province playing the Pumas at Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday, giving smaller communities a rare opportunity to savour live Currie Cup action.
Griquas vs Cheetahs
Friday, 30 August - 15:00
The Griquas displayed promise in their 47-24 loss against the Bulls last week. They started off in top form, shutting out the Bulls in their first three ventures into the 22-meters and maintaining a perfect, 14-0 opening quarter. Although they stumbled later in the half, they maintained their resolve until the end, regaining their rhythm and scoring after a lengthy 24 phases. However, they still need to make refinements, as they were guilty of numerous handling mistakes and unforced errors.
The Cheetahs have seen their title defense falter over the past two rounds, following back-to-back home losses to the Sharks and Lions. Poor starts have plagued their progress, and they fell behind by 26-7 at half-time against the Johannesburg outfit last weekend, resulting in a 38-21 defeat. The Free Staters must focus on improving their performance from the get-go and avoid playing catch-up rugby to get back on track.
Prediction: Cheetahs by 12.
Bulls vs Lions
Friday, 30 August - 17:15
The 23-point win against Griquas showed that even on their off-days, the mighty Bulls know how to secure a victory. They struggled in the early stages, making unforced errors and conceding two soft tries, but proved their resilience by turning things around with top-class transition play and excellent interplay between forwards and backs. They recovered from a 14-point deficit to build a commanding 26-19 halftime lead, which they sustained in the second half.
The high-flying Lions, brimming with confidence, will believe they can hand their neighbors their first loss after their resounding 17-point win over the Cheetahs last weekend. Though they slowed down a bit in the second half against the Free Staters, they never faced any real danger. Their defense has been their forte this season, leaking the fewest five-pointers compared to their opponents (25).
The Lions' lineout and driving maul are exquisite, but they'll face scrutiny in the scrum after giving away four penalties in the set piece last week. They've enlisted reinforcements from the United Rugby Championship squad to bolster their lineup for this crucial fixture, which could tip the scales in their favor.
Prediction: Lions by 2 points.
Sharks XV vs Griffons
Saturday, 31 August - 13:30
The Durbanites are on a five-match win streak and will be eager to maintain that momentum. The Griffons, while putting up a valiant effort in their 45-26 loss to the Pumas last week, will find it difficult against the Sharks XV, who are expected to impose their authority.
Prediction: Sharks by 30 points.
Western Province vs Pumas
Sunday, 1 September - 15:00
The Cape Town outfit faced a series of injuries and were forced to make several late changes last week, leading to an eight-point home defeat against the Sharks. Their attack lacked pizzazz and punch, their lineout was dismal, but their scrum held firm. The Pumas got the job done in Welkom last week but were far from their best, particularly in the first quarter. They'll face a stern challenge against a Western Province side bolstered by URC heavyweights for this crucial encounter.
Prediction: Western Province by 5 points.
Bet on the action-packed Currie Cup and turn the heat up this weekend!
Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year, boasting over 15 years of experience as a freelance sports writer. He has served as the sports editor, deputy editor, and outstanding journalist award winner at several top publications, including The Fever Media Group, eHowzit, SARugby.com, and Rugby365.com. Get ready for a mind-blowing adventure as we take a journey through the unpredictable world of Currie Cup rugby!
In light of the upcoming matches, sports enthusiasts can place their betting predictions on the nail-biting rugby clash between Griquas and Cheetahs on Friday. Despite showcasing potential in their previous game, the Griquas could face difficulties against the Cheetahs, who are aiming to improve their performance after a series of setbacks. On the other hand, the heavyweight showdown between the Bulls and Lions promises to be a thrilling affair, with the Lions seeking to deal the undefeated Bulls their first loss in the Currie Cup.
