Round 1 of the 2025/2026 Vodacom United Rugby Championship season kicks off this weekend. All four South African sides will are in action, and we look at these matches from a betting angle, putting up a few suggested bets for your consideration.
FRIDAY
Stormers v Leinster – Click here to bet
The Stormers had a good run at the end of last year, wining four matches in a row but then went on to lose to the Glassgow Warriors in the knockouts. They finished 5th on the table after winning 10 of their 18-games in the pool stages. They will be missing a number of their star players who have international duty this weekend.
Leinster are heading into the new season after winning the tournament for the first time last season. They finished top of the log after winning 16 of their 18 matches. They finished their season with a 5-match winning streak beating the Bulls 32-7 at home in the final.
Head-to-Head
The last time the two sides met, Leinster won the match 36-12 at home. This was Leinster’s first time in beating the Stormers. The last time the two sides met in Cape Town, the Stormers won the match 42-12.
Betting and Verdict
Leinster are favourites to win the match and are trading at 1.35 while the Stormers are trading at 3.70. The draw is currently at 29.00.
Handicap: Stormers [+7.5] at 1.85
Leinster have sent a strong squad out for their first tour of South Africa and with the Stormers missing a number of their top players, I think Leinster will be able to win their first match comfortably.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Leinster [-7.5] at 1.95
Glasgow Warriors v Sharks – Click here to bet
Glasgow had a disappointing finish to their season last year as they won only one of their final five matches. They went into the season as defending Champions and managed to finish 4th on the table after winning 11 of 18 matches but unfortunately fell short at the end.
The Sharks had a much better season than the one before. They won 13 of their 18 matches to finish 3rd on the table. Their end to the season saw them go on a five-match winning streak before losing to the Bulls in the semifinals. They are also coming off the back of a very poor Currie Cup season which saw them win only three matches.
Head-to-Head
Both sides have won 2 of the last 4 meetings between the two sides. On every occasion the team at home won the match. The last time the two sides played in Glasgow, Glasgow won the match 21-10.
Betting and Verdict
Glasgow are favourites to win the match and are trading at 1.04 while the Sharks are trading at 15.00 for the win. The draw is currently priced at 51.00
Handicap: Glasgow [-20.5] at 1.90
The Sharks are the South African side with the most international players and so they will be the most heavily impacted over the next two weeks, for this reason I think that Glasgow will start their campaign with a big win.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Glasgow [-20.5] at 1.90.
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SATURDAY
Vodacom Bulls v Ospreys – Click here to bet
The Bulls had a strong season last year as they made it all the way to the Final but for a third year in a row, they came up short. They had finished second on the table after winning 14 of their 18 matches.
The Ospreys did not make the knockouts last year as they won only 7 of their 18 matches. They also had a disappointing end to their campaign as they only won 1 of their last 5 matches.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have met four times since 2022 with the Bulls winning all four of those encounters. Last years fixture saw the Bulls win 19-29 away from home. The last time they met at Loftus, the Bulls won 61-24.
Betting and Verdict
The Bulls are favourites to win the match and are trading at 1.06 while the Ospreys are trading at 11.00. The draw is currently at 51.00.
Handicap: Bulls [-17.5] at 1.85
Over the last four seasons the Bulls have made Loftus a fortress and dominated teams at home. I think we will see the same this weekend with the Bulls winning by a big margin.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Bulls [-17.5] at 1.85.
Cardiff v Lions – Click here to bet
Cardiff just missed out on the playoffs last year as they finished 9th on the table. This came after they won 8 of their 18 pool stage matches. They finished their season winning 2 of their last 5 matches.
The Lions had a solid start to last years season as they went undefeated for quite a while, but it fell down from there with them finishing 11th. They finished the season winning 3 of their last 5 matches. A number of the Lions players were involved in the Currie Cup final loss to the Griquas last week.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have met four times over the last three years with the Lions winning 3 of the 4 matches. The last time they met in Cardiff, Cardiff won 20-17.
Betting and Verdict
Cardiff are favourites to win the match and are trading at 1.36 while the Lions are trading at 3.70. The draw is currently at 26.00.
Although the Lions have not had the best run of form over the last few years, they always start their seasons well and I can see them doing that again this weekend and causing an upset.
Suggested Bet: Lions to win at 3.70.
Click here for betting on all the weekends URC matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
