Anticipated Outcomes for Currie Cup - Sixth Round
Get Ready for the Showdown! electricity shoots through the air as the second half of the Currie Cup approaches, penned by Quintin van Jaarsveld.
With the halfway mark behind us, the Bulls lead the pack with 21 points, closely followed by the defending champs, Cheetahs, Lions, and Pumas, all tied at 18 points. Trail the pack are Western Province (13), the Sharks (12), Griquas (8), and the Griffons (2).
This weekend, we've got three matches to feast our eyes on. First up on Saturday, the Lions and Pumas square off in Johannesburg, followed by the Bulls hosting the Griffons in Pretoria, and the heavyweight clash between Western Province and the Cheetahs in Cape Town. The action shifts to Durban on Sunday, where the Sharks XV take on Griquas.
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Lions v Pumas
Saturday, 10 August - 15:00
The Lions stormed through Kimberley with a mature performance, dominating territory and possession in their 36-28 win. They displayed physical prowess and their set pieces were near flawless.
The Pumas are seeking an 80-minute performance after trouncing the Sharks in the first half, only to falter in the second, salvaging a 44-all draw with a last-gasp Clinton Swart penalty goal.
Jimmy Stonehouse's men are formidable with their symmetry, deadly on multiple fronts, and strike a great balance between tactical appreciation and pushing the boundaries. They boast fluidity and variation other teams don't have, as well as a powerful driving maul as an extra try-scoring weapon. However, they need to improve their defense to become a complete side.
The Lions dismantled the Pumas in their last encounter, cruising to a 75-21 victory, but this time around we're expecting a more competitive match, with the Lions claiming maximum points once more.
Prediction: Lions by 12.
Bulls v Griffons
Saturday, 10 August - 17:05
After letting the Cheetahs off the hook last week, the Bulls will be out for blood this time around. Squandering a 21-point lead, they managed to salvage a 34-all draw, thanks to a last-minute Boeta Chamberlain penalty goal, keeping them atop the log and their unbeaten record intact.
They were magnificent in transition play, winning collisions, and dominating the first 50 minutes, but they need to address their slips in tackles, offer more clinical play in the set pieces, and cut down on unforced errors and maul tries conceded.
This match will present them with an opportunity to rectify those issues and clinch the full five log points, as the Griffons remain winless and bled 19 penalties in their 39-17 loss to Western Province.
Prediction: Bulls by 45.
Western Province v Cheetahs
Saturday, 10 August - 19:10
Western Province would have wanted to capitalize on their game against the Griffons to address some concerns, but they left numerous points on the field, particularly in their poor conversion rate in the 22. They'll need more accuracy and punch to challenge the Cheetahs.
The Cheetahs demonstrated great character last week, coming from a 24-3 deficit to take the lead, eventually settling for a 34-all draw against the Bulls. Along with improving their start, they'll focus on their conversion rate, failing to capitalize on their territorial domination.
Both sides are talented, and this match could go either way. However, the Cheetahs have the edge due to their attacking flair and strong pack, potentially clinching a double over Province, who they beat 37-17 in Bloemfontein in Round Two.
Prediction: Cheetahs by 10.
Sharks XV v Griquas
Sunday, 11 August - 15:00
The Sharks aim to build on their promising last two performances. After demolishing the Lions to break their duck, they reverted to their inexperienced tendencies against the Pumas in the first half, conceding 20 missed tackles and trailing 27-8 at halftime.
However, their second-half comeback, nearly salvaging a win, leaves us excited about their potential. They excel in the lineout, particularly at disrupting the opposition, but their scrum play needs improvement, and they must reduce costly unforced errors.
Griquas are tough to crack once their defense settles, so we anticipate the Sharks to play heads-up rugby for a change. That's a double-edged sword as Griquas are counter-attacking specialists, and their only win so far came against the Sharks (34-31) in the last meeting. However, the Sharks have made progress, and we anticipate them to clinch the victory at home.
Prediction: Sharks by 4.
It's time to place your bets! Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. With over 15 years of experience under his belt, he's currently a freelance sports writer.
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