Currie Cup Predictions – Round 5

All roads lead to Bloemfontein where the Cheetahs collide with the unbeaten Bulls in a top-of-the-table clash to kick off the fifth round of the Currie Cup on Friday, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The weekend’s other games will see the Pumas and Sharks square off in Nelspruit and Western Province and the Griffons clash in Cape Town on Saturday as well as Griquas and the Lions lock horns on Sunday.

Cheetahs v Bulls

Friday, 2 August – 17:00

After surviving a real scare in Welkom last Friday, the Cheetahs know they’ll have to be switched on for the full 80 minutes if they want to avenge their only loss thus far.

After scoring nearly a point a minute in the first half, the Bloemfontein side lost shape, concentration and discipline and allowed the Griffons to draw level. It’s only in reverting to a more structured approach that they escaped with a 47-45 win.

It takes confidence in one’s game plan and structures and cool heads in key positions for a team to dig themselves out of a hole like the Bulls did last weekend. Trailing 27-3, they rallied back to beat Western Province 50-34 and keep their unbeaten record intact.

Holding a three-point lead over the second-placed Cheetahs, the men from Pretoria will focus on getting off to a better start and their ball protection after coughing up 17 turnovers against Province and can expect to be targeted at scrum time.

They showed in their 25-13 win in Round Three that they have the balance, brute force and game management to take down the defending champions and while it’ll be tougher this time around away from home, the Bulls should do the double to strengthen their position at the top of the log.

Prediction: Bulls by 5.

Pumas v Sharks XV

Saturday, 3 August – 15:00

Saturday’s action starts with a clash of styles pitting the Pumas’ enterprising play against the Sharks’ calculated game.

The Nelspruit outfit were sublime as they put Griquas to the sword last weekend, storming to a 66-26 win to position themselves in third place. They have super synergy and strike weapons across the park.

The Durbanites roll into Nelspruit having broken their duck with a 35-22 win over the previously unbeaten Lions, which moved them up to fifth position. Everything came together for them at Ellis Park, with the young pack fronting up well and veteran Lionel Cronje marshalling the team magnificently.

They’ll look to build on the patient and clinical territory-based game they produced in Johannesburg while sharpening their lineout play. If they execute with the boot as well as they did against the Lions, they’ll test the Pumas’ patience and discipline, however, the smart money is on the hosts to outgun them.

Prediction: Pumas by 10.

Western Province v Griffons

Saturday, 3 August – 17:15

Western Province will be out to shake off the disappointment of letting last weekend’s North-South derby slip after enjoying a 24-point lead early on. Injuries, growing pains and a resurgent Bulls side all played a part in their downfall, and they won’t take the last-placed Griffons lightly.

The team from Welkom showed the fight they’d lacked in the early rounds to come back from 33-0 down and almost salvage a draw against the Cheetahs last weekend. It was much better from the winless Purple People Eaters, who know their way to the tryline, however, their defence and discipline remain problematic.

Sixth-placed Province pummelled the minnows 64-15 for their only win thus far and will romp to another commanding victory in the return fixture.

Prediction: Western Province by 40.

Griquas v Lions

Sunday, 4 August – 15:00

Teams looking to get back on the horse wrap up the round in Kimberley.

Griquas have much to work on after their 40-point thumping by the Pumas last weekend. For a team with just a solitary win, they were trying to be too cute with forced offloads and grubbers when better options were available on attack.

Meanwhile, aside from the obvious holes in their defence, their general lack of intensity has compounded their problems as it has allowed teams to make easy metres before the first point of contact. They’re also conceding far too many penalties and have to improve their exit game.

Complacency bit the fourth-placed Lions in the backside and cost them their unbeaten record as they fell to a previously winless Sharks side featuring seven debutants last weekend. Ruben Schoeman’s red card in the 44th minute didn’t help, but by then they were already trailing 20-3.

That wake-up call will serve them well in the Diamond City, where renewed focus and greater territorial appreciation should see them bounce back.

Prediction: Lions by 7.