19 October 2018, by: Gareth Rosslee

WHO WILL WIN THE CURRIE CUP?

Just four teams remain in the Currie Cup as we enter the semi-final stage. We look at the odds and their chances of winning emerging triumphant this season.

We’re down to the final four in the #CurrieCup ???

14:30 – Sharks vs Golden Lions
17:00 – Western Province vs Blue Bulls

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John Dobson’s team have crushed all who have dared cross their path this season. With a perfect 6 wins from 6 games it’s no surprise to see them installed as odds-on favourites. A fearsome scrum sets the platform for a free-flowing attack to tear opponents to shreds and their 163 points scored with only 30 conceded points to a miserly defence to back up their ability to score. A pin-point goal-kicker in SP Marais will also prove critical as they enter the knock-out stages.

Wilco Louw: “Hopefully it will allow us to play attractive rugby. We want to play attractive rugby and make Capetonians and ourselves proud. Hopefully the weather allows us to do everything – to scrum nicely and also run nicely with the ball.” ?#CurrieCup pic.twitter.com/tDfi2PLVfJ

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Western Province have been on fire this season ?

Tries – 37
Points – 269
Tackle Breaks – 45
Ball Carries – 536
Ball Carriers (Metres) – 4199 #CurrieCup pic.twitter.com/hU28CRy50Y

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It’s no surprise to see the Sharks installed as second favourites to lift the trophy this season as they have gelled into a solid unit this domestic season. Their only loss came down in Cape Town to Western Province – a game where they threatened at times before ultimately falling away. A team based around the power of Dan du Preez, the tactical nous of his brother Robert du Preez and the mercurial young talent of Curwin Bosch, this is a team making the best of the talent on hand. With Coenie Oosthuizen and Jean-Luc du Preez returning to fitness just in time there’s plenty of firepower available.

Losses to WP and the Sharks during the regular season sees the odds stacked against the Lions if they are to lift the Currie Cup this season. That said, they are undeniably the dark horses of the competition when you consider the strength of their union in recent seasons and the return of a number of key Springboks ahead of the semi-finals. The return of Elton Jantjies, Warren Whitely and Aphiwe Dyantyi cannot be underestimated as this Lions team can beat anyone on their day. Whether they can string two of those days together over the next two weekends remains to be seen.

It’s no surprise to see the long odds on the Blue Bulls. Losses to all three of the other teams in the semi-finals during the regular season and a first half dismantling by Western Province last Saturday means few will be giving Pote Human’s men any chance at all of winning their semi-final down in Cape Town, let alone lifting the title. Even the most blue-blooded Bulls supporter would have to admit they stand little chance, but we all know that stranger things happen all the time on the rugby field – just ask Japan. That said, we wouldn’t be putting anything down on them this year.

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