Rugby
Currie Cup Predictions – Round 4
Following a round that shook up the competition, teams will be more focused and determined than ever to earn valuable victories in the Currie Cup this weekend, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
The fourth round kicks off in Kimberley, where Griquas will square off against the Sharks XV on Friday afternoon.
Saturday’s two ties will see the log-leading Pumas play host to the Lions in Nelspruit, and the Cheetahs welcome Western Province to Bloemfontein.
The round wraps up in Wellington, where the Boland Kavaliers will battle it out against the Bulls on Sunday afternoon.
Griquas v Sharks XV
Friday, 15 August – 15:00
Griquas are always tough to topple in Kimberley, and this season has been no different, with the Peacock Blues following up a 48-39 win over Boland with a 47-7 walloping of Western Province last Friday.
Their forwards have been impressive, particularly with their ability to provide punch through straight, hard carries, their brilliance at the breakdown, and their interplay with the backs. They’re also disruptors in the lineouts.
Even though the Sharks XV fell to their third straight defeat against the Cheetahs last Saturday, there were positives to take from the 7-5 reverse. Mainly, vastly improved line speed and physicality on defence meant they went from leaking 17 tries in their first two games to only one.
They still struggle to score points, with a tally of just 10 from their three fixtures, and continue to bleed penalties at an alarming rate, so it’s unlikely that they’ll end their unwanted streak here.
Prediction: Griquas by 15.
Pumas v Lions
Saturday, 16 August – 14:00
The purring Pumas will look to stay at the top of the log while the Lions will be determined to bounce back in the game of the weekend in Nelspruit.
The Lowvelders made a massive statement by overpowering the Bulls 41-7 at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday to shoot to the top of the standings, but with the Cheetahs and Boland also on 11 points, and the Bulls, Lions, and Griquas all on 10, they’ll relinquish their spot faster than they earned it with a loss here.
They were brilliant in keeping the Bulls scoreless in a testing first quarter and took over from there. They gave the men from Pretoria a taste of their own medicine, playing a brutally direct brand of rugby and dominating them in the set pieces.
Now back at home, they’ll try to tidy up their ruck play after they were blown up for sealing off in the attacking 22 twice and conceded a couple of penalties for coming in from the side last weekend.
The Lions’ character will be tested after their shock 29-10 loss in Wellington last Sunday. They were extremely sloppy overall, reckless on attack, and had poor ball protection, while they misfired at set piece.
The Pride have the personnel to turn things around, but the hard-nosed and jet-fuelled Pumas were so impressive in their dismantling of the Bulls that you’d have to think they’ll back it up with a win at home.
Prediction: Pumas by 3.
Cheetahs v Western Province
Saturday, 16 August – 14:00
When it rains, it pours, and there seems to be no respite in sight for winless Western Province as they come up against a Cheetahs side hungry to rip them apart.
After their mightily frustrating 7-5 win in Clermont last Saturday, the Free Staters are all about converting opportunities into points this weekend, and they’re set to get their mojo back against embattled Province, who missed 35 tackles against Griquas, and conceded no less than 23 turnovers with their poor ruck play.
Prediction: Cheetahs by 30.
Boland Kavaliers v Bulls
Sunday, 17 August – 15:00
The Kavaliers will be keen to continue their giant-killing ways after slaying the Cheetahs and the Lions in their two home games this season.
It’s been great to see how Boland have been backing themselves in their first Premier Division campaign since 2016, refusing to take a backward step to the bigger unions. They’re not just entertainers but rather a team with sound fundamentals and plenty of potential.
In addition to winning the energy battle in their 19-point triumph over the Lions last Sunday, they were far more cohesive and patient, and took their opportunities. They also upped their accuracy and aggression on defence, and levelled up several stages in the set pieces, even winning two heels against the head.
So, can they kick on? Hawies Fourie is doing good things, and there seems to be magic in the air in Wellington, but I still feel a backlash is coming from a Bulls side who are seething and out for redemption after being embarrassed by the Pumas last Saturday.
They have the cattle and the means to rectify matters and capitalise on the Kavaliers’ disciplinary issues to return to the win column.
Prediction: Bulls by 7.