The Vodacom Bulls travel to Durban to take on the Sharks and the Lions are in Cape Town to face the Stormers in week 8 of the URC and we look at both games from a betting angle.
Let’s start with a look at the Outright Betting where Leinster are firm favourites at 1.60 followed by the Blue Bulls at 5.00 with Glasgow Warriors in 3rd spot on 8.00, Munster are 10.00 and the Sharks 12.00. The rest of the teams are trading at odds of 21.00 or higher.
Click here for the URC Outright Betting
STORMERS vs LIONS
The Stormers have not had the start to the URC season they would’ve hoped for, and they currently sit back in 13th position on the log after winning 2 and losing 4 of their 6 matches to date.
They have played 2 matches at home this season, winning 1 and losing 1.
They played two fixtures during the European Rugby Champions Cup in the first 2 weeks of December, losing both, with the first 24-14 against Toulon at home and the second was a clash with Harlequins that ended 53-16 at The Stoop last weekend.
The Lions have looked good this season and they are placed in 5th overall after picking up 4 wins and 2 losses in the competition so far.
They have played 4 games away from home and they have struggled to find consistent away form, winning 2 and losing 2 of these clashes.
The Lions have participated in the European Rugby Challenge Cup for their latest two matches and after a 30-14 loss to Ospreys away, they picked themselves up to clinch a 43-35 win against Section Paloise at home last Saturday.
Head-to-Head
These sides have played three times in the URC on Stormers turf. The Stormers currently hold the advantage with 2 wins, while the Lions have a single victory. The most recent match was played in June 2024 where the Stormers won 29-24 and that was the 5th successive Stormers win at all venues against the Lions.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Stormers 1.66
Draw 23.00
Lions 2.55
Handicap: Stormers -2.5
Verdict
The Stormers recent form has been poor and I just get the feeling something isn’t right in the camp. A Lions win in Cape Town is my call.
BET: Lions win at 2.55
Back the Bulls to win any of their games in 80 Mins and get 5% of your stake back as a Free Bet for every Try they score!
Important Details:
Pre-Match events only. T’s & C’s apply. Refund/Payout limited to R5000.
Valid for bets taken before the start of each Bulls game
How to Claim:
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘Bulls Try Promo’ to claim your voucher
SHARKS vs BULLS
The Sharks are in 6th on the log, level on points with the Lions after winning 4 and losing 2 of their 6 fixtures.
They have been in superb form over the past 3 rounds of the tournament, winning all 3 matches against the likes of Munster, Ulster and the Stormers.
Their most recent action has been in the European Rugby Champions Cup where they played Exeter Chiefs at home on the 7th of December and won 39-21, they then lost to Leicester Tigers away 56-17 a week later.
The Bulls have had a solid season in the URC winning 5 and losing just 1 of their 6 games and they are in 3rd place on the log, 3 points ahead of Cardiff who are in 4th position.
In terms of their away form, they have 75%-win rate after playing 4 matches on the road and winning 3 of them, with just 1 loss.
They are coming off back to back defeats in the Champions Cup where they lost to Saracens on the road and the Northampton Saints away from home last week.
Head-to-Head
The last time these teams met in Durban was in June, and despite the Bulls being away from home they managed to pick up a 26-12 win over the Sharks.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Sharks 1.44
Draw 23.00
Bulls 3.30
Handicap: Sharks -5.5
Verdict
The Bulls have been disappointing in the Champions Cup but they face a Sharks side missing a few key players including Eben Etzebeth and I am looking for a small upset here
BET: Bulls win at 3.33
AWAY TEAM DOUBLE
The double Bulls and Lions to win works out to 8.00 and if you want to have a go at it you can use this code to populate your bet slip 22602223
Click here for betting on all of the weekend’s Rugby action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
