We head into round 16 of the URC and the teams know that it is now make or break if they want to secure their playoff spot. We look at the four South African sides fixtures from a betting angle and offer up a few bets for consideration.
Leinster remain favorites to win the competition and are trading at 1.40 while the Vodacom Bulls are trading at 6.00 with the defending champions, the Glasgow Warriors trading at 8.50 for the win.
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FRIDAY
Glasgow Warriors v Vodacom Bulls – Click here to bet
Glasgow are coming off the back of a solid win away from home last week as they beat Zebre 6-14. They have now won four of their last five matches in all competitions with their only loss coming against Leinster two weeks ago.
The Bulls pulled off a huge win last weekend as they beat Munster 13-16 away from home. They have now also won four of their last five matches.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have met four times over the last two years with both teams winning two matches each. The last match between them was last years URC finals where Glasgow pulled off an upset in Pretoria to win the match 16-21.
Betting and Verdict
Glasgow are favourites to win the match and are trading at 1.70 while the Bulls are trading at 2.40. The draw is currently at 23.00.
Glasgow have won their last three matches at home with the last two having a winning margin of 24 points or more. They sit 2nd on the log 4 points ahead of the Bulls in 3rd and a win here will basically secure them 2nd place. The Bulls were excellent last week and I think that this game will be very close.
Handicap: Glasgow [-2.5]
BET: Tribet “any other result” at 2.50 (neither team can win by 7 points or more)
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SATURDAY
Lions v Connacht – Click here to bet
The Lions have now lost their last five matches in a row. They hosted Benetton last week, but ended up losing that match 31-42 in front of the disappointed Emirates Park faithful. They are 9 points off the playoffs with just 3 games remaining.
Connacht are also coming off the back of a loss, losing 34-29 to the Stormers last weekend in Cape Town, a game where they started +17.5 and had a try ruled out at the end that would have at the very least got them a draw. The have now won one of their last five matches in all competitions.
Head-to-Head
Connacht have won two of the last three matches between the two sides while the Lions have won the most recent fixture with that match ending 14-38 in Connacht.
Betting and Verdict
The Lions are favorites to win the match and are trading at 1.40 while Connacht are trading at 3.50 for the win and the draw is 29.00.
The Lions will be very disappointed after last week’s result and will be wanting to bounce back from it and I can see them doing that. They are facing a Connacht side who have not been playing well and should be able to beat them in Johannesburg.
Handicap: Lions [-6.5]
BET: Handicap, Lions [-6.5] at 1.90.
Stormers v Benetton – Click here to bet
The Stormers managed to keep Connacht at bay last week and won the match 34-29 at home. They have now won three of their last five matches and sit in the 8th and final playoff spot.
Benetton pulled off a brilliant upset last weekend as they beat the Lions 31-42 in Johannesburg. They have also won three of their last five matches and sit 5th on the table but only 1 point ahead of the Stormers in 8th.
Head-to-Head
Benneton have won two of their last three matches against the Stormers. The most recent result was a 20-17 win for Benetton at home in 2023.
Betting and Verdict
The Stormers are favourites to win the match and are trading at 1.25 while Benneton are trading at 4.75 for the win. The draw is currently at 31.00..
Benneton will be fired up after their win last weekend and will be aiming for another one. I think that they have what it takes to pull off another upset and keep themselves firmly in the top 8.
Handicap: Stormers [-10.5]
BET: Benetton to win at 4.75
Ulster v Sharks – Click here to bet
Ulster are coming off back-to-back losses, however, it must be taken into consideration that these losses came against Leinster and Bordeaux, two of the best club sides in Europe. They had won three matches in a row before that and they sit 10th, 3 points off the playoff spots.
The Sharks pulled off a brilliant last minute win last weekend as they beat Edinburgh 17-18 away from home to consolidate their 4th spot. They have won only one of their last three games.
Head-to-Head
Ulster have won two of the last three meetings between the two sides while the Sharks won the most recent fixture with that match ending 22-12 in Durban this time last year.
Betting and Verdict
The Sharks are favourites to win the match and are trading at 1.65 while Ulster are trading at 2.50 for the win. The draw is currently at 26.00.
Although the Sharks managed to pull off an impressive win last weekend, it is no easy feat to do it twice in a row. The Sharks are yet to beat Ulster in Ulster, and I think Ulster have a strong enough side (despite injuries) to deny the Sharks this weekend.
Handicap: Ulster [+3.5]
BET: Ulster to win at 2.50
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
