Currie Cup 2014 Predictions: Semi-finals

And so we reach the knockouts of the Currie Cup. No great surprises in the four quarter finalists, so without further ado here’s our look at the weekend’s games.

Lions vs Sharks

Revenge is on the Lions’ minds, after the Sharks won the equivalent fixture in Durban a few weeks ago. Over at Ellis Park, however, they’ll be more confident of getting a victory, having gone unbeaten there in the regular season.

The Lions have played some brilliant rugby this season, that has resulted in plenty of bonus point wins. That, however, is all well and good, but there are no bonus points in the knockout stages – all that matters is winning, and if there’s a team equipped for that, it’s the Sharks.

Last season’s winners are peaking at the right time of the season, putting together a string of four wins in a row, including victories over every other side in the semi-finals. They will not fear anyone as the knockout stages begin.

How Marnitz Boshoff performs will likely be vital to the overall outcome on the game – he has been one of the top performers in both Super Rugby and the Currie Cup this year, and if he can kick his goals while also unleashing the Lions’ dangerous outside backs, the home side should come away victorious. The Sharks will put him under plenty of pressure, knowing exactly that.

Prediction: Lions by 3

Western Province vs Blue Bulls

This game looks much more straight forward to call than the first semi-final. Western Province have set the pace since day one of the competition, losing just twice all season, and one of those occasions was last week, when they had top spot sewn up and played a distinctly understrength side.

The Bulls, by contrast, stuttered through the season but ended strongly, winning five of their last six games to clinch the final play-off spot. They have unhappy memories of playing at Newlands, having lost 41-17 in round two there. The only respite is that it was at the beginning of the season, so the scars have had time to heal.

There were a whopping 11 points separating the two on the regular season log, but that means very little in the knockout stages. The Bulls know this. Start strongly, snatch a couple of early, opportunistic tries and suddenly the pressure on overwhelming favourites Province could be too much.

Of course, the other way this could go is that Province sweep to a convincing victory, playing with the confidence that a near perfect league season has allowed them. The latter option seems more likely than the former.

Prediction: Western Province by 12

How do you see the semi-finals unfolding?

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images