DURBAN – Tomorrow it is the Griquas playing a Sharks side with many changes. A number of Sharks players are being rested and there are also some positional changes, which may make this game in Kimberley closer than expected.
The final round robin game for this year is Bulls taking on top of the table Western Province, which is the pick of the games.
The expected results should see the visiting teams all winning here, irrespective of the changes. However any handicaps over 15 points in either of these games should be questionable?
In some other oval ball play on the go, the European Rugby Championship and Europe Challenge Cup kick off tonight. There are a bunch of games on the go, look at the likes of Saracens, Exeter and Gloucester in the upper echelon and Clermont, Bristol and Harlequins in the lower league, all to get off to a good start.
WP travel to Pretoria to take on the Bulls. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
In the Mitre 10 Cup, Taranaki play Wellington this morning and tomorrow Counties Manukau are at home to Canterbury, both visiting teams should win here by two or more tries. Auckland, Maawatu and Waikato are all at home and all are good to go.
Then the people’s game serves up an international break, which is usually quite boring, but now we have UEFA Nations League. This new European format is back, and has proven to be quite the treat, pitting like strength teams against one another instead of the useless friendlies of old.
Kicking off this round it’s Poland versus Portugal. Ronaldo is missing out due to a suspension; this should give Poland a sniff to pick up points. However is 1 man the team? Portugal will have to prove otherwise here, so maybe look into a draw here, or bet on both teams to score, to stay on the safe side.
Tomorrow Croatia hosts England, in a rematch of the World Cup semi-finals. I suspect the Poms will be out for World Cup revenge and shouldn’t be ignored for the win. There is also Netherlands taking on Germany, and the Dutch will be desperate to prove their prowess in Europe, but unfortunately I see the Germans taking this one.
England's Marcus Rashford, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Raheem Sterling during training this week. Photo: Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
The pick of this round is Spain hosts England on Monday. The home team is well in control of the group and this win will ensure them promotion to the knockouts. I reckon both teams will score a goal, but Spain may be too good at home?
Another cracker pits France against Germany next week, which is a mouthwatering fixture. I see France taking the points here, as their players are bang on form and scoring, hail Mbappe.
Enjoy all the sports on the go and hope you can make a pretty penny.
Sanele Tshabalala
@shabsgunner
The Mercury