Boland Cavaliers vs Johannesburg Lions Prediction: Lions look good to make it three in a row

Last season's beaten Currie Cup finalists, the Golden Lions, are looking good to mount another charge for the title and head to Wellington on Sunday to face the Boland Cavaliers.

The Lions topped the 2024 regular season standings by five points from the Blue Bulls, but missed out on a 12th title in heartbreaking style as Jordan Hendrikse kicked an 82nd-minute penalty from 60m to give the Sharks a 16-14 win at Ellis Park.

Mziwakhe Nkosi's team had a mixed URC campaign, but have made a winning start in the Currie Cup, getting a degree of revenge on the Sharks with a thumping 45-6 opening win before beating Western Province 40-19.

Sunday is their first away game of the season against a Boland side who beat the Cheetahs 37-35 in the opening week before losing 48-39 to the Griquas in Kimberley.

After winning promotion last year, Hawies Fourie's team look like they could enjoy a decent return to the Premier Division.

However, the Lions might be the team to beat for the title but are expected to be pushed by Wellington.

Team News

Boland loosehead proper Wayrin Losper will make his 50th appearance for the side, while scrum-half Louis Schreuder makes his debut after withdrawing from the round one win over the Cheetahs with an ankle issue.

Lock Maryln Wiillians captains the side with fly-half Ashlon Davids the vice-captain. Lions head coach Nkosi has opted for a 6-2 bench.

New signing Dylan Sjoblom is included in the second row for Darrien Landsberg, who has a concussion.

Boland Cavaliers vs Golden Lions Odds

Boland are 15/2 to win on Sunday, with the draw 25/1 and the Lions 1/18.

This is the two teams' first meeting since 2016 when Boland won 28-24 at home and that makes the 5/4 when given a +15.5 in the three-way handicap tempting as a potential twist on the tip.

Boland +16 @ 5/4

Last season's final defeat has clearly not been forgotten by Stick and his players and those wins over the Cheetahs and Western Province have served notice.

Both were at Ellis Park and they will be looking to show they can do it on the road after failing to win away from home in the URC since back-to-back October victories at the Dragons and Zebre.

Boland will be stern opposition and showed their spirit in beating the Cheetahs with an 88th-minute try from winger Donavan Don.

This contest might not be as epic, but Fourie's side can keep it competitive.

The Lions look a level above not just Boland, but most of the competition, however, trips to Wellington are likely to be awkward for the top sides and backing Boland to come in under a +16 start could prove to be a shrewd move.

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