Currie Cup - 2nd Week

So we have come to the second week of Currie Cup action! Here are my predictions...

Cheetahs vs Griquas
Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
16 July 2010
19:10

This is going to be a good one. We have seen from last week that the Griquas are not a team to take lightly when they are playing at home, and it will be interesting to see just how well they can perform away from Kimberley. If they want to cause an upset, they will have to pin the Cheetahs back into their own half, and keep ball in hand, which is going to be tough against a good Cheetahs front row. Also, they will need to bring along some more of that "never say die" fighting attitude!

The Cheetahs on the other hand will want some revenge after their lost against WP last weekend at home. A must win for the Cheetahs if they want to stay on track for the semi-finals. We all know you cannot afford to lose your home games if you want to lift the trophy.

I think the Cheetahs will just be too strong for the Griquas.
Cheetahs by 10

Pumas vs Leopards
Puma Stadium, Witbank
16 July 2010

These two teams are fighting for the wooden spoon award, and this game will clearly show us who the weakest team in the Currie Cup is. I think that at the end of the day it will be the home ground advantage that will win it for the Pumas.
Pumas by 10

Western Province vs Lions
Newlands, Cape Town
17 July 2010
15:00

One of the main clashes of the season, and a difficult one to call. Both teams will be full of confidence after good wins. (although their performances were a bit rusty) The Lions have got a lot to prove after a dismal Super 14 campaign. Again they had some spring cleaning done at the GLRU, with John Mitchell as the new head coach...and I think this will make them dangerous. A "new start" on a blank page have done wonders for teams in the past. (2004 - Jake White, ring any bells?) They are a good side, with young talent and old experience, but it will be tough at a probably cold and wet Cape Town. This will prove just how good the new structures at GLRU are working.

Province, on the other hand, still had a lot off work to do this week. Their key to success will be patience. Build the platform up front, and attack the Lions backline. For this they will have to hang onto possession. At the end of the day I think WP will grind out a good win.
Western Province by 5

Sharks vs Blue Bulls
Absa Stadium, Durban
17 July 2010
17:05

What a game this is going to be! After a disappointing loss for the Sharks last weekend against Griquas, they know that they can't afford to lose this one at home. If there is one thing they should have learned from the Super 14, it's that you cannot afford to get off to a bad start in any competition. They will have to spark that confidence again, and soon.

In the last couple seasons the Sharks have been a team that's out of sorts, struggling to find their rhythm. They have got a superb junior system, but still they opt to buy overseas players for a short time, which denies them the opportunity to build local talent. They need young blood in their squad. Rumours are that Lambie will be playing at flyhalf...Why?! Let him settle into a position...don't make the same mistake as they did with Ruan Pienaar.

The Bulls, well they are the Bulls. Full of confidence after a successful Super 14 campaign. But this time around they don't have their Springboks to help them. Last year during the Currie Cup we saw a Blue Bulls side that struggled to make the semi's before their Boks came back from the Tri-Nations, and this year they will only be joining at the semi-finals. Still, I think the Bulls are the team that has got their structures and game plans in place.
Blue Bulls by 5

Enjoy!