Currie Cup Predictions – Round 8

The North-South derby headlines this weekend’s Currie Cup action, which will see teams aim to get the second half of the tournament off to the best possible start, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

Old enemies Western Province and the Bulls will wrap up Round Eight at Newlands on Saturday, after the Sharks and Griquas square off in Durban earlier in the day. 

But first, there are two fixtures on Friday with the Lions and log-leading Pumas colliding in Johannesburg and the Cheetahs and Griffons facing off in the Free State derby.

Lions v Pumas

Friday, 28 April – 17:00

Champion teams find a way to win and that’s what the Pumas did last weekend to sink Western Province with a last-gasp Brandon Thomson penalty goal. They’re full value for their place at the summit but will want to iron out instances of ill-discipline that have crept into their game in recent weeks. 

The Lions have exciting youngsters who’ve caught the eye but as a unit, they’ve lacked cohesion. They’re on a three-match losing streak as a result and while they’ll have their moments, they’ll be unable to keep up with the pacesetting Pumas. 

Prediction: Pumas by 10.

Cheetahs v Griffons

Friday, 28 April – 19:05

The Griffons should brace themselves for a backlash after the men from Bloemfontein were stunned by the Sharks last weekend. 

It was the worst possible result for the Purple People Eaters as it’ll breathe new intensity and focus into the Cheetahs and lead to a lopsided Free State derby. 

Prediction: Cheetahs by 25.

Sharks v Griquas

Saturday, 29 April – 15:00

The Sharks will have revenge on their mind for the 48-40 defeat they suffered in Kimberley in Round Two. Both teams are on 19 with the Sharks sitting third due to a superior points’ difference. 

Last weekend’s 24-17 away win over the Cheetahs was a massive statement and step in the right direction for the Durbanites. It underscored the key improvement they’ve made since their first meeting with the Peacock Blues, that being shoring up their defence. 

Griquas, who made it back-to-back wins with a 42-27 victory over the Griffons last weekend, are guilty of conceding roughly 30 points per game, which gives them a points’ differential of -26. Given their defensive development, the Sharks should triumph at home. 

Prediction: Sharks by 7.

Western Province v Bulls

Saturday, 29 April – 17:05

Will it be more misery for Jake White or will the Bulls coach finally break his duck against John Dobson? 

Since White took the reins from Edgar Marutlulle following a 0-4 start to the campaign, the Bulls have won three on the bounce to move one place above Western Province in fifth. 

Province, who’ve been hit with serious injuries to key pair Kade Wolhuter and Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, were three minutes away from pipping the Pumas last weekend, their late heartbreak making it two losses in a row as they fell 26-17 to the Cheetahs the previous week.

With momentum on their side, it’s worth sprinkling a few bucks on the Bulls. 

Prediction: Bulls by 3. 

Quintin van Jaarsveld

Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.