Currie Cup Predictions – Round 2

Hot on the heels of the opening weekend, teams dive straight back into the action when the Currie Cup continues on Wednesday, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The first slice of midweek mayhem will be an early test of teams’ conditioning and concentration levels mere days after their season-opening encounters. The Sharks are the exception as they start their campaign after sitting out the first round.

Kicking off the action is a catfight in Johannesburg between the Lions and the Pumas before a repeat of last year’s semi-finals. Up first is the Durban duel between the Sharks and Griquas and then age-old rivals Western Province and the Bulls collide in Cape Town.

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Lions v Pumas

Wednesday, 19 January – 15:30

Licking their wounds, both the hosts and their visitors will want to put their disappointing starts behind them. The Lions have the greater cause for concern as they leaked seven tries in their 48-36 loss in Cape Town, whereas the Pumas were always going to battle against a strong Bulls team.

It also didn’t help that persistent rain washed away every attacking intention the Lowvelders had. This will, thus, be the first real indication of how the much-changed Pumas of 2022 measure up. You’d expect them to front up much better in the scrums after being bullied by an all-United Rugby Championship-level tight five.

Their driving maul was impressive, even earning them a penalty try against the men from Pretoria, and it should cause the Lions problems as well. On top of that, Thinus de Beer looked good in the No.10 jersey, and with his experience and accurate goal-kicking, there’s a real chance of an upset.

I was leaning towards the visitors, but the rain will follow them to Johannesburg, and considering how shocking their handling of the slippery ball was last Friday, I have the Lions by a whisker.

Sharks v Griquas

Wednesday, 19 January – 17:45

They have a new team and a new coach but based on the opening round, two constants remain in the Kimberley outfit – disciplinary issues and a never-say-die attitude. That their full-arm indiscretions were caused by pressure was concerning as it showed how they were on the back foot throughout.

The Central derby was over as a contest by half-time with the Cheetahs up 23-3. Griquas’ fighting spirit saw them “win” the second half 17-7, deny their neighbors a bonus point, and nearly selvage a log point, missing out 30-20. So, like their predecessors, these Peacock Blues are never dead and buried, but they’ll have to earn respect early and not allow teams to get a head start.

With the short turnaround, the Sharks’ first-round bye is a real benefit for once and that alone should see them triumph over a visiting team coming off a bruising battle. Moreover, they have a strong team featuring the likes of Samoan international Olajuwon Noa, Springbok prop Lourens Adriaanse, Blitzbok legend Werner Kok and captain Marius Louw.

They’ll be determined to give new coach Etienne Fynn a winning start, so I don’t see the Sharks’ bogey team springing another Durban upset here. Instead, I have the hosts winning comfortably.

Western Province v Bulls

Wednesday, 19 January – 20:00

A compelling clash of continuity versus fresh legs. The Western Province team that lashed the Lions will mostly stay intact whereas their traditional rivals will field an overhauled outfit. URC players formed the bulk of the Bulls team that overpowered the Pumas and with them out of the mix, it’ll be a different ball game in Cape Town.

The hosts will lose one or two key players at most and that continuity should be the difference in the first North/South derby of the season. It should be thrilling and closely contested though. Expect a breathless, action-packed, high-scoring sprint of running rugby under clear skies.