Tafel Lager Griquas vs Xerox Golden Lions
Venue: Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2019
BetXchange Odds:
Form
Griquas have secured their place in the top four and a win here will see them secure a coveted home semi-final spot. They are top of the log with 19 points from four wins and one defeat, but a second defeat of the season to the Golden Lions could see them finish as low as fourth.
The Lions could finish as high as first on the log or they could miss the playoffs altogether and finish in fifth with the wrong string of results. They need to either win or lose and have Sharks and Western Province also fall to defeat this weekend. They currently sit in third with 17 points from five games.
Griquas
Making the semi-finals for the first time since 1998 is a huge moment for this Griquas squad. Don’t expect too many changes from the side that beat Western Province last weekend as the Griquas look to secure a home semi at fortress Kimberley.
George Whitehead has been the star all season, with his 12-point performance being the key as they beat Western Province last Saturday.
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions will be going for broke this weekend as they face the Griquas away from home in a must-win game. Springbok winger Jamba Ulengo will be making his debut for the province in this game, with the speedy winger looking to impact the game when he comes off of the bench.
Marvin Orie will also be taking his place in the team, giving the Lions more Springbok experience in the lock position.
Best Bets
The Griquas are two from two in home matches this Currie Cup season. Their season is still trending upwards, while the Lions – a team once looking good for a home semi-final – have lost their last two in a row because of poor defensive structure.
The Griquas will have too much attacking flair and will cover the -2.0 point spread at 0.80 with BetXChange.
Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs. DHL Western Province
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2019
BetXchange Odds:
Form
The Cheetahs are the second team that controls their own destiny regarding a home semi-final. A win will secure that, though if the three teams directly below them win – including WP beating the Cheetahs themselves – then they will finish fifth. They are currently second in the table with 17 points after a 46-37 win over the Pumas last weekend.
Western Province is the playoff team in contention sitting outside the places right now in fifth. They have only won two of their five games in 2019, but a win here could vault them into second with a home semi-final if things go their way elsewhere. Bonus points could be crucial here, with WP needing to rebound after losing to the Griquas last time out.
Cheetahs
The Cheetahs are aware of the challenge they are about to face from Western Province, but this team is second on the log for a reason and will not back down. Expect this team to hum along as it has for most of the season, with fly-half Tian Schoeman trying to open things up for a talented backline and good finishers on the wings in Darren Adonis and captain Tian Meyer.
Western Province
Province will be boosted for this one by an injection of Springboks into their starting lineup. Damian Willemse, Wilco Louw, Scarra Ntubeni and Dillyn Leyds all come back into the side, with the moves seeing SP Marais shifting back to the wing to allow for the inclusion of Leyds.
The most exciting news sees junior Springbok center Rikus Pretorius making his debut for the side at No. 12.
Best Bet
This might be the most open of all the games this weekend with WP loading their team with Springboks. The betting line reflects that and the lean here is with the underdog WP side at 1.00 with BetXChange.
Vodacom Blue Bulls vs. Cell C Sharks
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2019
BetXchange Odds:
Form
The Bulls – who currently sit sixth – can grab fourth spot, but they need to beat the Sharks by at least 12 while also picking up a four try bonus point. Even then they will need WP to lose and to deny the Sharks a losing bonus point in their win. This is all because the Bulls sit on just nine points after five games with two wins and three defeats to their name.
The Sharks can finish as high as second or they can drop out of the playoffs altogether. They need help to secure a home semi-final – with the Cheetahs and Lions losing – but a loss to the Bulls and WP win takes them out of the playoffs entirely. They are on form though, with a pair of wins in the last two weeks over the Lions and Cheetahs.
Blue Bulls
The Bulls will have to go for this after basically being dormant to this point in the season. This is a quarter-final for them, but can they turn things on this late in the year?
Springboks Lizo Gqoboka and Marco van Staden will be available after being two of the players sent back to their clubs after international duty.
Sharks
The Sharks will be bolstered in this one with a pair of Springboks returning to the selection pool. Both Thomas du Toit and Andre Esterhuizen can expect to be featured here, though maybe not from the start as the Sharks finally seem to have found a winning formula over their last two games.
They will still be without the injured Curwin Bosch.
Best Bet
The Blue Bulls have the advantage of playing at home, but they just haven’t turned up all season. The Sharks are in better form so expect an away win at 1.00 on BetXChange.
