Sharks vs Griquas
The Sharks play their first match of the Currie Cup as they had a bye in the first round while the Griquas will be keen to bounce back after their opening round loss to the Cheetahs. The home team are involved in the URC as well so they have selected a team that excludes their Springbok stars. Griquas have been somewhat of a bogey team for the men from Durban and always seem to face them in the opening round of this competition. The Sharks have selected a very experienced team while Griquas are trusting the same players from the match against the Cheetahs.
TIP: The Sharks enjoy the ball in hand approach and this looks like a team that can be very dangerous if their halfbacks can link the backline. Young Jordan Chait is at flyhalf but he will have the experienced Cameron Delport at nine to assist him. Griquas will fancy their chances against a Sharks pack that does not look very strong. The Griquas always seem too save their beat performances when they play in Durban .The bookies have the Sharks as favourites and I also tip them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.45 and Sunbet 1.25
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Sharks vs Griquas
- Sharks have won four of the last five matches between these sides.
- Sharks have lost two of their last five home matches against the Griquas.
- The home team has only won two of the last eight matches between these sides.
Latest results for both teams
The Sharks beat the Bulls 30-16 in their last match while the Griquas lost to the Cheetahs 30-20 in their last match..
PREDICTION
There will be an interesting twist in this match as the Griquas will be facing one of their former stars in Eduan Keyter. This will be the speedster’s first game for his new team and will be keen to get on the score sheet. The Sharks will look to their experienced players in the pack like Gerbrandt Grobler and Lourens Adriaanse to try and at least gain parity with the Griquas pack. If the Sharks pack can stand up to the Griquas pack then the home team will win. I am predicting Sharks win by more than 10 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Sharks
15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Werner Kok, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Jordan Chait, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Mpilo Gumede,7 Olajuwon Noa, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Griquas
15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Christopher Hollis, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Zander du Plessis, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Niel Otto, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Alandre van Rooyen, 1 Eddie Davids
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Sharks victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.45
Sunbet 1.25
Odds comparison on the Sharks handicap :
The complete odds on the Sharks handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-6.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-10.5) 1.87
Predictions and Odds in details
Both these team have strong rolling mauls and if either team gets an advantage in this area they will walk away as the winner. Sharks have a deadly back three and if Griquas are not accurate with their kicking then this will be create major problems for them. The scrum battle looks to favour the Sharks. The bookies are offering poor returns on the Sharks outright win therefore I suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-6.5) 1.90 and Sunbet (-10.5) 1.87
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.
