After two weeks of Champions Cup rugby, the VURC returns for Round 10 this weekend. We look at three matches involving the South African sides offering up a suggested bet for consideration in each game.
FRIDAY
Edinburgh v Vodacom Bulls – Click here to bet
Both these sides have not been in the best run of form with Edinburgh winning only two of their last five games while the Bulls have only won one of their last five.
Edinburgh faced off against Bath last weekend in the Champions Cup but suffered a heavy defeat with the match ending 63-10.
The Bulls managed to pull off their first win of the year last weekend in the Champions Cup as they beat Section Paloise 24-26 away from home.
Head-to-Head
In the last five fixtures between the two sides, the Bulls have won three times with Edinburgh winning the other two matches. Importantly in the last six matches, neither side has been able to beat the other away from home.
Betting
The bookies have the Bulls as favourites to win, trading at 1.77, while Edinburgh are trading at 2.25. The draw is currently at 22.00.
Handicap: Edinburgh +1.5
Verdict
Although the Bulls are coming into this weekend off the back of a win and Edinburgh are not, the Bulls have been in a poor run of form this season and in the last few years they have not beaten Edinburgh away from home, and so I think we will see Edinburgh take the win this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Edinburgh to win at 2.25.
Ospreys v Lions – Click here to bet
The Ospreys are heading into this week off back-to-back losses. Their most recent fixture saw them lose 26-31 last weekend to Montpellier at home in the Challenge Cup.
The Lions by contrast have been undefeated in their last three matches with two wins and a draw. The draw came in their most recent match where they played USA Perpignan away from home and the score ended 20-20.
Head-to-Head
The Ospreys have a solid record against the Lions, winning three of the last five matches between the two sides however the Lions have won the most recent fixture back in May last year with the final score ending 29-28.
Betting
The Ospreys are favourites to win this match and are trading at 1.69 for the victory, while the Lions are priced at 2.45. The draw, at the time of writing, is available at 23.00.
Handicap: Ospreys -3.5
Verdict
Although the Ospreys have had a slightly better record against the Lions over the last few years, the Lions are the ones with the momentum going into this weekend and so I can see them pulling off the upset.
Suggested Bet: Lions to win at 2.45.
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SATURDAY
Stormers v Sharks – Click here to bet
After their first defeat of the season across all competitions, the Stormers bounced back last weekend as they beat the Leicester Tigers 39-26 at home in the Champions Cup.
The Sharks also put on a very impressive performance in the Champions Cup as they beat Clermont 50-12 at home. The Sharks have now won three of their last five matches in all competitions.
Head-to-Head
The Stormers have had the bragging rights over the last few years, beating the Sharks in four of the last five matches between the two teams. The last time the two sides met in Cape Town, the Stormers won the match 24-20.
Betting
The Stormers are favourites to win, trading at 1.22 while the Sharks are trading at 5.00 for the win. The draw is currently at 29.00.
Handicap: Stormers -10.5
Verdict
I think that this in form Stormers team will be able to secure the win against the Sharks, but the question is by how much? In the last five matches between the two sides, the highest winning margin was only six points. This occurred twice, the first was back in 2023 where the Stormers won 29-23 at home and the second was in 2024 where the Sharks won 21-15 at home. The other three matches have all had a lower winning margin. For this reason, I think we will see yet another close derby this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sharks [+10.5] at 1.87.
Click here for betting on all the weekends URC matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
