The big upset in round eight of the Currie Cup came in the form of the Bulls’ win away at the Cheetahs, a result picked by just 35% of the SuperBru community. The Bulls are making a late charge towards the play-offs and this week face a tough trip to rivals the Pumas, but the game of the round undoubtedly comes from Durban.
Game of the round: Sharks vs Lions
With just two rounds to go these two are locked in a battle for the second home play-off spot – a crucial bonus in the hunt for a place in the final. They are yet to play each other this season, so neither side has any real psychological advantage there.
The Lions are guaranteed a space in the knockouts, but the Sharks are not – they hold just a six point buffer and with a trip away to the imperious Western Province to come next week, they really need a win this time out to ensure they progress.
Off course, off-field affairs have been dominating the talk surrounding them this week, with the departure of Jake White a shock to most of us. Whether that has a negative effect on their play remains to be seen, but it certainly won’t have been helpful.
The Lions have a comfortable home fixture against the Cheetahs next week, but know that if they win both games and Western Province slip up at any stage, they can steal top spot – not that that really matters. They essentially need one win from their last two to guarantee a home semi-final.
Recent history between the sides favours the Sharks, and they do have home advantage. But I just wonder how much the Jake White issue will be playing on their minds – he may have had a reasonably backseat role in their Currie Cup campaign, but to quit this close to the end of the campaign seems odd.
The pressure is all on the Sharks, and with the disruptive week they’ve had I’m not sure they’ll be able to live with it. Lions by 3.
Other SuperBru predictions
Pumas vs Blue Bulls: Bulls by 6
Cheetahs vs Western Province: Western Province by 15
Griquas vs Eastern Province Kings: Griquas by 9
How do you see the penultimate round of regular season action going?
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Well on paper the lions are a far better team and should win! The other predictions i would also agree with!