We take a look at the 3 Saturday URC matches featuring South African teams and suggest a bet in each game.
Click here for United Rugby Championship Long-term Markets where the Stormers are the shortest price South African team at 7/1 with the Bulls 17/2, the Sharks 25/1 and the Lions 80/1.
BULLS v SHARKS – Click here to bet
The Bulls currently sit 3rd on the URC log, having won 4 of their 6 matches this season. Last weekend, they beat Connacht convincingly (53-27) at their home ground, Loftus Versveld. The score was 32-13 to the Bulls at half time and the sides traded try’s in the 2nd half.
The Sharks sit 14th on the log and have won only 1 match so far. That was last week at home against the Dragons with a 69-14 final score. The half time score was only 20-7, but they increased their lead exponentially in the second half as the tries rolled in and they ended up making short work of the -21.5 start the bookies had given the Dragons.
Head-to-head:
These teams last met in the URC in October 2022 with the Bulls winning 40-27 at home.
Handicap: Bulls (-7.5)
The Sharks were much improved last week but they were playing weak opponents and I think the Bulls will win this one going away.
Suggested Bet: Bulls -7.5 at 19/20
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LIONS v DRAGONS – Click here to bet
10th on the log is the Lions who have only won 2 of their 6 matches but have not lost by more than 7 points. Last weekend, they thumped Zebre 61-19 at home having led 33-7 at half time and that 80/1 they win the trophy is starting to look attractive.
The Dragons sit 15th on the log and have only won 1 of their matches. They got hammered 69-14 by the Sharks last weekend and they now travel to the highveld where heat and altitude will count against them.
Head-to-head:
These teams last met in January in Wales where the Lions won 30-25. The Lions led 27-5 at half time and although the Dragons caught up, it was just not enough.
Of these teams 3 most recent head-to-head-matches dating back to 2022, the Lions have won 2 and the teams have drawn 1.
Handicap: Lions (-27.5)
The Lions should be too strong for the Dragons and I am expecting them to gain ascendancy as the match progresses. The handicap is high though and for now I am going to back them to lead by slightly more than a score at the break.
Suggested Bet: Lions to lead by 8-14 points at half time at 2/1
STORMERS v ZEBRE– Click here to bet
The Stormers sit 12th on the log and have gotten off to a slow start winning only 2 of their 6 matches this season. Cardiff beat them 31-24 in Wales last weekend. The Stormers led 14-17 at half time, but Cardiff fought back and managed to win the match by scoring a converted try in the final minute.
Zebre sit 1 spot below the Stormers on the log (13th), having only won 1 of their 6 matches. They got thrashed 61-19 by the Lions last weekend and they will be pleased this match is at sea level.
Head-to-head:
These teams last met in Italy in 2022 where the Stormers beat Zebre 37-20 and both teams took their 3 pointers when on offer.
Of these teams 2 most recent head-to-head matches, the Stormers have won both.
Handicap: Stormers (-32.5)
The Stormers should win comfortably but Zebre are capable of scoring points and I am going for the visitors to beat the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Zebre +32.5 at 9/10
Click here for betting on all this weeks United Rugby Championship action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
