Cheetahs vs Pumas
The Cheetahs will be desperate for victory as they have started with two losses although one was via default due to Covid. The Pumas on the other hand are enjoying their best season ever sitting pretty in second position with a game in hand, if they win this match they go top of the log. Cheetahs have been in disarray first through a player exodus and more recently a Covid outbreak in their squad. This will be their first home game of the campaign and they always produce their best rugby at home. The leadership of Ruan Pienaar will be severely tested in this match and he will be hoping that this crisis gels the team together. The Pumas have shown that they are no longer push overs and they have finally got depth in their squad, so often their Achilles heel. Players like Devon Williams and Willie Engelbrecht have shown their experience and class with superb displays this season while the team is controlled by their excellent flyhalf Eddie Fouché. The man that has to spark the Cheetahs is Pienaar as he as the experience to motivate and lift his team. The Cheetahs played with 13 debutants in their team in their first match and the coach will have hoped that in the two weeks of practicing that the combinations will be working better. The home team knows that another defeat will make it very difficult to make the playoffs while a Pumas victory will put them in pole position to qualify.
TIP: The Cheetahs so famed for their running game will need their flyhalf Reinhardt Fortuin to spark their exciting backline. They have brilliant game breakers like Clayton Blommetjies and the young Cohen Jasper. He was recently crowned Varsity Cup player of the season. All this will only be possible if their forwards can match up to the Pumas pack. Fortuin looked out of sorts in the first match and will be hoping for a better performance in this game. The player that impressed in the Cheetahs first match was new recruit Jacques Potgieter and another bull dozing performance is needed from him. The scrum as always will go a long way to deciding this match and there isn’t too much to choose between the sides in this aspect. The bookies have the Cheetahs as slight favourites and I also tip them to win this match. The best odds on the home win is as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.72, Playabets 1.67 and Sunbet 1.66
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Cheetahs vs Pumas
- In the last five meetings between these sides there has been one lone victory for the Pumas.
- In five home matches against the Pumas the Cheetahs have lost twice.
- The Pumas won the last match between the sides 26-22
Latest results for both teams
The Cheetahs lost their last match against Griquas 31-10 while the Pumas beat Griquas 26-22 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Cheetahs will look to play to their strengths and that is to run with the ball so the Pumas defence will need to be at its best from the first whistle. The most impressive part of the Pumas has been their ability to turn defence into attack. The home team must be aware of giving away turnover ball otherwise they will be punished. Both these teams have excellent rolling mauls and they use them as great attacking weapons. The team that can defend the maul the best will go a long way to securing victory In this match. This is almost last chance saloon for the Cheetahs and they will be desperate for victory at home. The Cheetahs are always difficult to beat at home and this is the reason I’m predicting a Cheetahs victory by 6 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Jacques Potgieter, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Cameron Dawson.
Pumas
15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Matt Moore, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Eddie Fouché, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren (captain), 4 Darrien Landsberg, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Dewald Maritz.
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Cheetahs victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.72
Playabets 1.67
Sunbet 1.66
Odds comparison on the Cheetahs handicap victory:
The complete odds on the Cheetahs handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-2.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-2.5) 1.87
Playabets (-2.5) 1.86
Predictions and Odds in details
The Cheetahs have great attacking threats all over the park but the battle begins up front. The Pumas have shown to have a very strong forward pack and the home team won’t find it easy to dominate them. The experience of Potgieter and Aranos Coetzee will need to come to the fore to help this newly assembled Cheetahs pack. If they can at least gain parity then we could see the like of Jasper and Duncan Saal really come into the game with their pace and power. The Pumas have been superbly coached by Jimmy Stonehouse for a long time but this is the first season he has the players to seriously mount a run for the title. This game will go down to the wire but I expect the Cheetahs desperation to see them home. The value for money bet that I suggest is the Cheetahs on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-2.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-2.5) 1.87 and Playabets (-2.5) 1.86
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
