The final round of URC regular action takes place this weekend and we take a look at the four games featuring South African teams and suggest a bet in each of them.
Leinster remain unmoved at the top of the betting boards at 5/10 favourites ahead of the Stormers at 6/1. You can get 15/2 Ulster, 8/1 Munster and 13/1 and better the balance.
Click here for the latest United Rugby Championship Outright Betting
FRIDAY
Stormers v Benetton – Click here to bet
The Stormers are 3rd on the table and still holding high hopes that they can finish 2nd. They were disappointing last week going down 26-24 to Munster at home and they will be forced to chase a bonus point win against Benetton.
Benetton went down 43-33 away to the Sharks last week and that put paid to their chances of making the playoff. They have made a number of changes to the team and it is no surprise to see that money has come for the Stormers on the handicap.
Handicap: Stormers -27.5
The Stormers should put this Benetton side to the sword and although the cap is currently big at 27.5 I don’t think it is big enough. Benetton have made loads of changes as they look ahead to their Challenge Cup semi-final next weekend.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Stormers -27.5 at 9/10
Get your money back on a one leg loss
Take a bet on the Vodacom Bulls and Lions URC Handicap Bet Bundle (click here), and if one leg lets you down we will refund your stake back in Free Bet vouchers.
*Pre-Match events only. T’s & C’s apply. Refund/Payout limited to R2000.
Valid for bets taken on the bet bundle only on Sat 22 April
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘URC Double Header’
SATURDAY
Lions v Zebre – Click here to bet
Neither the Lions nor Zebre can make the playoffs with the Lions currently 10th on the log and Zebre bottom of the table with 17 defeats in 17 starts.
Last week the Lions looked like beating a very young and experimental Leinster side, leading by 15 points in the final quarter of the game only for Leinster to come back and win 39-36. Zebre were never in contention against the Bulls and were hammered 78-12 at Ellis Park.
Handicap: Lions -24.5
Zebre have been awful this season, but I think they are going to be able to beat this handicap and I am expecting the Lions side to push some of their URC players in to the Currie Cup.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Zebre +24.5 at 9/10
Bulls v Leinster – Click here to bet
The Bulls are 7th on the log and are guaranteed of a playoff place. They can in theory finish 5th and to give themselves chance they will have to get a bonus point to win.
Leinster once again will be without their star players who have stayed back in Ireland and they will be hard pressed to pull off a second consecutive victory at altitude.
Handicap: Bulls -10.5
Leinster did well to come back against the Lions but there will be no such feat against this Bulls team.
Suggested Bet: Bulls -10.5 at 9/10
Sharks v Munster – Click here to bet
The Sharks made hard work of beating Benetton at home last week, but they did and they are now ensured of a playoff place. There is a chance they could finish higher up the table if other results go their way so I expect them to go hard for a bonus point win.
Munster are 5th on the log after defeating the Stormers by 2 points in Cape Town last week. They need a bonus point to ensure they finish 5th and they can’t climb any higher on the table so it remains to be seen what sort of attitude they will have in this game.
Handicap: Sharks -5.5
I think the Sharks will get out of the blocks quickly and will finish the job, but rather than the handicap I am going for the Sharks to lead at half-time and to win the match.
Suggested Bet: Half-Time/Full-Time / Sharks/Sharks at 10/11
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
