Johannesburg Lions vs Griquas Prediction: Lions to take a bite out of Griqua

Griquas might well leave fortress Ellis Park empty-handed on Saturday (16:00 BST, Sky Sports Mix) as they get set to face a Johannesburg Lions side who have been formidable on their own patch in this year’s Currie Cup.

Below are my Johannesburg Lions vs Griquas predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the battle in Joburg.

Team News

Starting with the Lions, the hosts go with SJ Kotze, skipper PJ Botha and RF Schoeman in the front row, with locks Dylan Sjoblom and Ruan Delport in behind.

Jarod Cairns, Ruan Venter and WJ Steenkamp form the back row, with Nico Steyn and Chris Smit in the half-backs.

Richard Kriel and Henco van Wyk combine in the centres, with Angelo Davids, Kelly Mpeku and Quan Horn in the back three.

As for Griquas, Eddie Davids, Janco Uys and skipper Cebo Dlamini start in the front row, with locks Malembe Mpofu and Albert Liebenberg in the engine room.

Lourens Oosthuizen, Carl Els and Gustav Erlank complete the pack, while the half-backs see Caleb Abrahams and George Whitehead combine.

Mnombo Zwelenedaba and Zane Bester are the starting centre partnership, with Gurswin Wehr, Dylan Maart and Connor Mahoney forming the back three.

Johannesburg Lions vs Griquas Odds

The Lions are 2/7 are for the win on Saturday, while Griquas are 3/1 to secure the victory in Johannesburg.

A draw at Ellis Park is currently available at 22/1.

Johannesburg Lions -12 Handicap Three-Way @ 20/21

Griquas are leading the way going into Round 7 in the Currie Cup standings and Pieter Bergh’s side are already guaranteed a place in the semi-finals.

The Northern Cape Province outfit, of course, will be determined to finish the regular season on a high and secure a favourable home draw for the semi-finals.

However, they come up against a Lions side who have been nothing short of outstanding at home this season.

The Sharks, Western Province and the Bulls have all visited Ellis Park and all have left this iconic ground with their tails between their legs.

Beating the Sharks 46-5, the Lions went on to dominate Western Province 40-19, before seeing off the Bulls 44-5 in their last home outing.

Scoring a total of 130 points across those three home games, while only conceding 29, the Lions have really made Ellis Park a fortress in this year's Currie Cup.

The Lions find themselves up in third place in the standings, but they will be desperate to pick up the win on Saturday that could see them host a semi-final on September 13.

No side will want an away trip to Ellis Park in the semi-finals, and victory for the Lions could have a massive impact on how the last-four picture looks come the end of Round 7.

The Lions are expected to cover the handicap and prevail before the intriguing semi-finals to come next weekend.

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