We take a look at the two URC South African Derbies taking place on Saturday and suggest a bet in each game.
With the Six Nations taking a break it is back into URC action and we have a full house of fixtures this weekend and you can click here for betting on all of the games.
Before we get into the local derbies a quick look at Outright Betting which Leinster trading as 5/10 favourites ahead of Munster 15/2, the Stormers are first of the South African sides in the betting at 8/1 and you can get 9/1 Ulster, 10/1 the Bulls and 11/1 the Sharks.
Click here for the latest Outright Betting
LIONS v SHARKS – Click here to bet
LIONS
The Lions are currently 12th on the URC table and their chances of making the playoffs are slim. Their last action was away at Connacht where they lost 43-24 and that was on the back of a 30 point defeat away to Munster.
This will be the Lions first home game since early December when they beat the Scarlets 32-15 and as far as the local derby matches go they have lost both home games, 31-22 to the Stormers and 31-15 to the Bulls.
SHARKS
The Sharks currently sit 8th on the table just squeaking into the quarter-finals as things stand at the moment. They were disappointing last time out when they were beaten 46-19 by the Stormers in Durban, a game where they started favourites.
The Sharks other local derby away from Durban was a 13 point loss to the Bulls at Loftus.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides met in Durban earlier in the season with the Sharks running out 37-10 victors
Handicap: Lions +5.5
Suggested Bet: Halftime / Fulltime, Sharks / Sharks at 9/10
I like a look of the side the Sharks team have named and although there is plenty of pride at stake for the Lions I feel that the visitors have more to play for here and can come out of the blocks quickly and hold on for the win.
Place a multiple of 4 or more teams in this week’s URC and if your bet loses, but all your selections score a bonus point, we will refund your stake in Free Bet vouchers.
BLUE BULLS V STORMERS – Click here to bet
BLUE BULLS
The Bulls are currently 4th on the log with 8 wins and 5 losses in their 13 matches. Their most recent action was a disappointing 9 point loss away to the Scarlets at the end of January and their last match at Loftus was a 45-9 beating of Cardiff back in early December.
The Bulls only home derby to date was a 40-27 victory over the Sharks.
STORMERS
The defending Champions, the Stormers are currently 2nd on the log, well behind Leinster in 1st, but 7 points ahead of Ulster in 3rd although Ulster do have a game in hand.
The Stormers played the Sharks in a make-up game two weeks ago and despite starting favourites they came away with a comfortable 46-19 victory to get them back on track after losing two in a row in Europe. This will be Stormers second away derby of the season having beaten the Lions 31-22 in Round 7.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides met in Cape Town in Round 10 with the Stormers coming out on top 37-27.
Handicap: Blue Bulls -4.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Bulls -4.5 at 10/11
The Bulls will be cheered on by a large crowd and while a bit disappointing on the road of late, their home form has been good and I am expecting them to win by 5 points or more.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
