There are three South African teams in action in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday, including the Bulls who host Glasgow at Loftus. We take a look at all 3 games from a betting angle.
Leinster remain the firm favourites to win the URC trading at 4/7 with the Blue Bulls second favourites at 11/2.
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BULLS v GLASGOW – Click here to bet
The Bulls are currently 4th on the log with 10 victories and 5 defeats in their 15 matches. Their last action was at home to Ospreys, where they were too strong winning 61-24, bouncing back from a disappointing 5 point defeat to Munster the week before.
Glasgow currently top the table by 4 points from Leinster in 2nd place. They beat Zebre 40-9 on the road last time out and their last match against South African opposition was at home to the Sharks in April where they won 21-10.
Handicap: Bulls -13.5
The Bulls are certainly capable of running away with this game, but Glasgow have impressed me this season and in a game where even a bonus point would be crucial for them in keeping Leinster at bay at the top of the table, I think they are going to beat the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Glasgow +13.5 a 17/20
SHARKS v BENETTON – Click here to bet
The Sharks are 13th on the log and outside of the Top 8 contention. They are going well in the Challenge Cup where they came from behind to beat Clermont in an excellent match in London last week. Their last game in the URC was away to the Scarlets where they won 32-27 and their last home match was a 23-13 win over Edinburgh.
Benetton were beaten semi-finalists last week away to Gloucester in the Challenge Cup and they currently sit in the final playoff spot in 8th position on the log and with only 5 points separating 11th place from 5th place, this is a crucial match for them. Their last URC action was a 38-34 loss on the road to Ulster and they come to South Africa knowing they need a good tour if they are going to be involved in the knockout.
These sides met in Durban in April of 2023 where the Sharks won 43-33 and the Sharks also beat Benetton on the road 29-7 in 2022.
Handicap: Sharks -5.5
The handicap looks well set in this game and I am expecting the Sharks to edge a close contest.
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Sharks by 1-7 at 5/2
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LIONS v CARDIFF – Click here to bet
The Lions are 11th on the log, but they are still very much in the playoff mix. Their last game was a disappointment at home to Munster where they lost 33-13 and the week before that they beat an under-strength Leinster side 44-12 at home.
Cardiff are only 1 position behind the Lions on the log, but a massive 14 points back and out of quarter-final contention. They have lost their last 7 games in the competition including going down 24-7 at home to Edinburgh in their last URC start. In the season prior to that the Lions won 37-20 at home.
Handicap: Lions -14.5
This game means far more to the Lions than Cardiff and given Cardiff’s recent struggles, I am expecting the Lions to put them away comfortably.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Lions -14.5 at 19/20
Click here for betting on all of this week’s Super Rugby and URC action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
