Rugby
Currie Cup Predictions – Round 3
Winless Western Province and the Sharks XV will be desperate to get off the mark in what should be another enterprising round of Currie Cup action this weekend, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
Griquas will kick off the third-round action against the men from Cape Town in Kimberley on Friday evening.
The log-leading Bulls will play host to the Pumas in Saturday’s early fixture at Loftus Versfeld before the Sharks XV and the Cheetahs collide in Clermont.
The electrifying Boland Kavaliers and the impressive Lions will wrap up the round in Wellington on Sunday afternoon.
Griquas v Western Province
Friday, 8 August – 15:00
After losing in Nelspruit in Round One, Griquas bounced back at home with a stunning 48-39 comeback win over Boland last Sunday and will look to sharpen up and build momentum.
A lot of teams would’ve panicked being down 34-19 at halftime, so Pieter Bergh’s charges deserve credit for the composure they showed to storm back, scoring three tries in the first 11 minutes of the second stanza to regain the lead.
Kudos also to the men from Kimberley for realising the error of their ways and tightening up at the death to secure the result after having gifted the visitors two tries by recklessly throwing the ball away.
After a heavy home defeat to the Bulls, Province showed improvement at Ellis Park last Saturday. They started with a spring in their step and were much better in the set pieces. However, their disciplinary and defensive issues persisted.
It’s a short turnaround for Griquas, who have serious defensive deficiencies of their own, but by valuing possession more and backing their impressive driving mauls, they should pip it at home to seal their eight consecutive win over the Capetonians.
Prediction: Griquas by 3.
Bulls v Pumas
Saturday, 9 August – 15:00
Last Saturday’s clash at Loftus was one of the most one-sided in Currie Cup history as the Bulls bullied and blanked the young Sharks XV. Their power game was overwhelming, their offloading and interplay seamless and their breakdown work brilliant as they marched to a 64-0 rout and to the top of the table.
The Pumas, meanwhile, were poor as they suffered their first loss in all competitions this season against the Cheetahs last Friday. The trip to Bloemfontein turned into a nightmare for the men from Nelspruit, as they lacked accuracy on attack, malfunctioned in the lineouts, and missed a whopping 30 tackles.
While they were better in the second half and managed to salvage a four-try bonus point, they were well off their best. The problem for them, though, is even at their finest, the SA Cup winners won’t hold a candle to the powerful and determined Bulls, who are on another level.
Prediction: Bulls by 26.
Sharks XV v Cheetahs
Saturday, 9 August – 17:10
After two hellacious trips to the Highveld, in which they were clubbed like baby seals by the Lions and Bulls, the youthful Sharks XV will be happy to be back in KwaZulu-Natal, but the bleeding looks set to continue in this clash taking place at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont.
There were very few positives for JP Pietersen to take out of the 41-5 and 64-0 drubbings. Last Saturday’s lashing at Loftus was particularly brutal, and perhaps the only plus for the defending champions was the energy off the bench.
Having taken on the top two teams, things don’t get much easier for them against the Cheetahs, who found their groove to pummel the Pumas 42-25 and put their last-gasp loss in Wellington behind them.
The Free Staters impressed with their fluency with ball in hand, how they continually varied the point of attack and dominated at scrum time, to the extent that they scored a pushover try.
Will the greenhorn Durbanites be better in their first home game? One could only hope, but it’ll take a brave man to back them. I see Frans Steyn’s side winning comfortably.
Prediction: Cheetahs by 18.
Boland Kavaliers v Lions
Sunday, 10 August – 15:00
While they did let their 15-point halftime lead slip, Boland showed their epic opening round win over the Cheetahs was no fluke by giving Griquas a serious scare last Sunday.
The Kavaliers have quickly become many South African rugby lovers’ second favourite team with their enthusiasm, energy, and enterprising play, which have seen them score 11 tries.
Unfortunately for their home fans, a repeat of their Round One heroics is highly unlikely against a strong Lions side who’ve banked maximum log points from their 41-5 and 40-19 wins over the Sharks XV and Western Province, respectively.
Prediction: Lions by 19.