Griffons vs Golden Lions Prediction & Betting Tips - Currie Cup

Prediction published on 08/06/2023, 12:30  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 08/06/2023 at 12:31 in Currie Cup Predictions

The Golden Lions will take on Griffons in their final group-stage match of the 2023 Currie Cup on Friday. The Griffons have found it tough in their maiden Currie Cup season. Despite knowing their fate in this tournament for a few weeks now, it would have been an excellent learning experience for them that will be invaluable for seasons to come. The hosts have been at the foot of the table since week three and have managed just one win this season. The men from the Northern Free State are on a nine-match losing streak in this competition following their 64-33 defeat to the Blue Bulls last weekend. Their undisputed shining light this season, though, has been their scrumhalf Jaywinn Juries. Despite his side’s poor performance in this tournament, Griffon's number nine is the leading point scorer in the Currie Cup this term. He is the only player to have scored 100 points in the competition, currently on 104, eight points clear of Tinus de Beer in second. We may well see Juries in a bigger side next year, but for now, a win for the Griffons in this match would be the biggest upset of the weekend. 

While not mathematically knocked out just yet, it would take an incredible stroke of luck for the visitors to qualify for the knockout stages. They are currently in seventh place with 31 points, five points behind the Blue Bulls in the fourth and final qualification spot. The Golden Lions would need a bonus point and a win with an 18-point margin to stand a chance of qualifying. In addition, they will also need each of the three sides between them and the qualification spots to lose their matches. The visitor's qualification hopes were dashed by the current leaders, The Sharks, last week when they lost 29-21 in Durban. With that loss, their record reads as five wins and eight losses in their 13 matches. However, they did pick up 11 bonus points, which was the second-highest in the tournament. They beat this opponent 41-26 in week four, and if this is to be their last match, they will want to end the tournament on a positive note.