The United Rugby Championship continue this weekend and with a full round of fixtures we take a look at the games involving South African sides.
Let’s start with a look at the Outright Betting where Leinster has been unmoved all season as favourites at 5/10, Munster are second favourites at 7/1, with the Stormers 8/1, Ulster 17/2 and you can get 12/1 the Bulls and the Sharks.
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STORMERS v SHARKS – Click here to bet
The Stormers are currently 2nd on the URC table with 10 wins, a draw and 3 losses in their 14 games. Their last match was away to the Bulls where they started underdogs, but won the match 23-19 and prior to that they played in Durban against the Sharks, also starting underdogs, but coming away with a 46-19 victory.
The Sharks are in a real battle to make the play-offs and currently sit 7th with 8 victories and 6 losses in their 14 games. They were firm favourites to see off Ulster at home last week, but they were well beaten 31-24 by the Irish. They had beaten the Lions 29-7 in Johannesburg the week before, but they seemed to miss their Boks more than the other South African sides.
I am expecting the Sharks to come out strongly and perhaps even lead at the break, but ultimately I see the Stormers winning this one. I am going to go for a half-time / full-time play.
Handicap: Stormers -7.5
Suggested Bet: Half-time / Full-Time / Sharks / Stormers at 5/1
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BLUE BULLS v LIONS – Click here to bet
The Bulls are currently 6th on the URC log with 8 wins and 6 losses in their 14 games. They were poor last time out against the Stormers where they started as the favourite, but went down 23-19 despite leading 9-0 at one point and 4 of their last 5 matches have ended in defeat. The Bulls did beat the Sharks by 13 points at Loftus earlier in the season and I would certainly fancy their chances against the Lions side who they beat by 16 points in the opening round of the season.
The Lions are currently 12th on the log with 6 victories and 8 defeats this season. They got a much needed victory last time out when they beat the Glasgow Warriors 35-24 in Johannesburg. Their big problems have come against local opposition and prior to that they were beaten by 22 points by the Sharks in Johannesburg and they have also lost by 32 away to the Stormers and 27 points away to the Sharks this season.
Although I see the Bulls winning this game, they haven’t convinced me in recent times and I think that the Lions side will have taken quite a bit from their victory last weekend. I think we could get a Bulls win, but perhaps by a single figure margin.
Handicap: Blue Bulls -13.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Lions +13.5 at 9/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
