The United Rugby Championship returns this weekend and we take a look at the four matches featuring the South African teams.
Leinster remain red hot favourites at 5/10 to win the United Rugby Championship Title with the Stormers and Munster both priced at 15/2, Ulster are 8/1 and you can get 12/1 the Sharks, 14/1 the Bulls and 22/1 and better the balance.
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FRIDAY
Leinster v Stormers – Click here to bet
Leinster are cruising at the top of the table with 15 wins from 15 matches. Their last action was a 47-27 away win at Edinburgh in early March. They won’t be at full strength here as a number of their Irish Internationals are being rested.
The Stormers are 2nd on the log with 11 wins, a draw and 3 losses in their 15 starts. Their last match was at home to the Sharks where they won 29-23 and they are sending what looks a full strength side to take on the log leaders.
Handicap: Leinster -5.5
The money has come for this Stormers side with the handicap moving from an opening call of +10.5 and I fancy a big game from the Stormers and I am going to back them to score 23 points or more.
Suggested Bet: Stormers, over 22.5 points at 9/10
Place a multiple on all 4 South African URC teams this week, and if your bet loses by 1 leg, we will refund your stake in Free Bet vouchers
SATURDAY
Benetton v Lions – Click here to bet
Benetton are currently 9th on the table sitting just outside the play-off positions, they have won 8 and lost 7 of their matches this season and last time out they got an invaluable away win at Ospreys winning 21-20.
The Lions are 11th on the log with 7 victories and 8 defeats in their 15 starts. They have ended up a poor run with back-to-back victories at home against the Glasgow Warriors and away at the Bulls.
Handicap: Benetton -6.5
The handicap in this match looks well set and I am going for a speculative play of the Lions to lead at the break, but the home team Benetton to come storming back for the victory.
Suggested Bet: Half-time/Full-Time, Lions/Benetton at 5/1
Scarlets v Sharks – Click here to bet
Scarlets are currently down in 14th on the table and out of play-off contention. They put up a brave fight last time out away at Munster eventually going down 49-42. Their last home game in mid-February was a 42-14 victory over Edinburgh.
The Sharks are 7th on the log with 8 wins and 7 losses in their 15 matches. They went down 29-23 to the Stormers on the road last time out, their second successive defeat having also lost to Ulster at home the week before that.
Handicap: Scarlets +6.5
It has been some time since the Sharks have been able to field a team in which it included its Springboks and I think they are going to win this one going away.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sharks -6.5 at 19/20
Ulster v Blue Bulls – Click here to bet
Ulster have won 10 and lost 5 of their 15 matches and they currently sit 3rd on the log. Their last action was away at Cardiff where they put in a strong performance to win 42-20 and their last home game was a 35-5 victory over the Stormers back at the end of January.
The Bulls are currently 6th on the log with 8 victories and 7 defeats and last time out they were beaten 25-29 by the Lions at home, a disappointing result given they started double digit favourites. The Bulls last away game in Europe was a 37-28 loss to the Scarlets.
Handicap: Ulster -9.5
Despite a poor recent run the Bulls are still very much in play-off contention and with the resources at their disposal this weekend, I am expecting them to beat the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Blue Bulls +9.5 at 17/20
Click here for betting on all the weekend’s URC matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
