Currie Cup Predictions – Round 6

With the Sharks XV (6) and Western Province (1) already out of the semi-final race, the log-leading Cheetahs (21), Boland Kavaliers (21), Griquas (20), Lions (16), Pumas (15), and Bulls (10) are fighting it out for places in the final four.

Round Six kicks off with the Central derby between the Cheetahs and Griquas in Bloemfontein on Friday afternoon. A super Saturday is in store, starting at Ellis Park, where the Lions and Bulls renew their rivalry.

The Jukskei derby will be followed by a meeting between the Sharks XV and Boland Kavaliers in Pietermaritzburg, before the round wraps up with a clash between winless Western Province and the Pumas in Cape Town.

Cheetahs v Griquas

Friday, 29 August – 17:00

After suffering away losses in Round One, both of these teams have racked up four straight wins, setting the table for a mouth-watering Central derby. The pace-setting Cheetahs crushed the Lions 47-31, while third-placed Griquas battered the Bulls 42-21 last weekend.

This year’s Currie Cup has been high on entertaining rugby, with teams prioritising attack and making full use of their licences to thrill. Both the Cheetahs and Griquas have showed out, with the former having scored 24 tries and the latter a competition-leading 28 tries.

Though it promises to be another fan-friendly fixture, what fans should be relishing the most about Friday’s clash is the physical battle between the tournament’s top two packs. Both teams have been dominant in the set pieces and have rumbled over the tryline on several occasions with their driving mauls, so this should be as physical as it is flashy.

Fresh off an impressive away victory, the Peacock Blues will back themselves, but they just can’t seem to win in Bloemfontein. Add the fact that the Free Staters have the best defensive record this season, and things point to Frans Steyn’s men prevailing. 

Prediction: Cheetahs by 7.

Lions v Bulls

Saturday, 30 August – 15:00

Trailing the fourth-placed Lions by six points, the sixth-placed Bulls face a must-win scenario to keep their slim semi-final hopes alive. 

Lions teams of yesteryear’s rugby IQ sometime let them down, and the same happened with the pride of 2025 in Bloemfontein last weekend. Down 26-0, tries just before and after halftime inspired hope, and the visitors somehow fought their way back to 33-31.

However, they proceeded to turn down two kickable penalties (that would’ve put them in front), which resulted in them conceding a yellow card (their second of the game) and a penalty try on the other end, effectively undoing all their hard work and ultimately leading to a 16-point defeat.

Meanwhile, the wheels have well and truly come off for the Bulls who, after starting their campaign with two runaway wins, find themselves on a three-match losing streak. A combination of United Rugby Championship squad call-ups and injuries have left the Bulls bare-boned, to the point that assistant coach Josh Strauss had to play in their embarrassing 21-point home loss to Griquas last weekend.

Expect the Lions to put the final nail in their neighbours’ coffin.

Prediction: Lions by 20.

Sharks XV v Boland Kavaliers

Saturday, 30 August – 17:10

The young Sharks XV finally got their first win of the season last weekend, and while it was too little, too late as far as the playoffs are concerned, the 29-21 triumph over Western Province was a rewarding one.

They showed good fight to get back into the game after a poor start, fronted up in the scrums, and tactically outsmarted the visitors in the slippery conditions. The experienced Bradley Davids, who came on early in the second half, was pivotal, as was their awareness to play the conditions, making 34 kicks out of hands compared to Western Province’s 26.

Shades of Australia at Ellis Park, Boland staged an epic comeback from 26-3 down to pip the Pumas 29-26 last weekend. Their fitness and never-say-die attitude won them the game as they upped the tempo from the 50th minute and won the scraps to stun the hosts.

Having now proven they can win on the road, the high-flying Kavaliers should continue their fairy-tale return to the Premier Division in Pietermaritzburg.

Prediction: Boland Kavaliers by 8.

Western Province v Pumas

Saturday, 30 August – 19:20

After dominating early on only to be overtaken by the Sharks XV and Boland, respectively, last weekend, these two teams will aim to deliver an 80-minute performance.

Just when Province take one step forward, they immediately take two steps back through silly mistakes and daft decision-making. It’s no wonder that the young side are winless and rooted to the bottom of the log.

The Pumas will be kicking themselves for imploding against Boland, as it’s left them one point behind the Lions in fifth place. Jimmy Stonehouse’s men conceded no less than 20 penalties and a yellow card/penalty try to throw the game away, but as long as they’re more disciplined, they’ll bounce back and add to Province’s woes.

Prediction: Pumas by 19.