The South African teams are in United Rugby Championship action this weekend and we take a look at all four games from a betting angle.
Leinster remain favourites at 5/10 to win the URC with the Stormers at 15/2. You can get 9/1 Munster, Ulster and the Sharks and 10/1 the Bulls and 35/1 and better available on the balance.
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FRIDAY
Munster v Lions – Click here to bet
Munster are currently 9th on the log with 5 wins and 6 defeats in their opening 11 games. Munster are coming off two close fought matches, a 20-19 defeat at home to Leinster on Boxing Day and last time out they came from behind to beat Ulster 15-14 on the road.
The Lions are 11th on the URC log with 5 wins and 5 losses in their 10 matches. The Lions lost both of their local derbies over the Festive period, going down by 27 points to the Sharks in Durban and by 32 points to the Stormers in Cape Town.
Handicap: Munster -17.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Lions +17.5 at 17/20
Munster go into this game as big favourites, but it has been some time that I have really seen them put a team away and this Lions side has shown that they are well capable of winning on the road this season so I give them a strong chance of beating the handicap.
Dragons v Blue Bulls – Click here to bet
The Dragons played a couple of Welsh derbies over the Festive Season and they lost by 5 points to Cardiff at home and by 16 points to the Scarlets on the road. A disappointing return for a side now sitting down in 14th place on the log with just 3 wins in 11 starts.
The Bulls are currently 4th on the log with 7 wins in their 11 games, but they were beaten in both local derbies over the Festive Season going down by 10 points to the Stormers on the road and by 27 point to the Sharks in Durban.
These sides met at Loftus last season where the Bulls won 35-20.
Handicap: Dragons +9.5
Suggested Bet: Under 48.5 points at 17/20
This game is well handicapped and we have also got points lines to look at and I think it could be quite a scrappy affair.
Take a multiple of 5 legs or more on Round 12 of the URC, and if any your selections lose after scoring more tries than their opponents, we will refund you in Free Bet vouchers.
SATURDAY
Connacht Rugby v Sharks – Click here to bet
Connacht currently sit 13th on the log with 4 wins and 7 defeats in their 11 games. They were involved in derbies over the Christmas period and they beat Munster by 2 points at home before going down by 29 points to Leinster on the road.
The Sharks are currently 5th on the table with 6 wins and 3 losses in just 9 matches. The Sharks were in excellent form against local opposition over the Festive Season beating the Lions 37-10 and the Bulls 47-20 last week.
These sides met in Durban last season with the Sharks winning 41-21.
Handicap: Connacht -9.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sharks +9.5 at 17/20
This is far from a confident call as the Sharks have left many of their star players at home to focus on the Heineken Champions Cup, which has resulted in a massive betting swing from Connacht starting as underdogs to big favourites.
The Sharks side are flying high though and there is plenty of depth in the squad and I think they can keep things tight in Galway.
SUNDAY
Glasgow v Stormers – Click here to bet
Glasgow are currently 6th on the table with 6 wins and 4 losses in their 10 games. They played Edinburgh twice over the Festive Season, winning 16-10 at home and then completing the double with a convincing 32-25 victory on the road. They have hosted one South African team this season, the Bulls and they won that game 35-21.
The Stormers are 2nd on the log with 8 wins, a draw and a loss in their opening 10 matches. They were in excellent form at home over the Festive Season beating the Bulls 37-27 prior to Christmas and then hammering the Lions 40-8 on New Year’s Eve.
Handicap: Glasgow +1.5
Suggested Bet: Stormers win at 17/20
This should be a tighter game as the betting suggests and one of the options I would look at is either team to win by 6 points or less when that market is out. At this point I have to say I am leaning towards the Stormers who have looked in excellent form of late.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
