The Varsity Cup returns to our screens on Monday and we take a look at the 4 Week 1 matches suggesting a bet in each game.
OUTRIGHT BETTING
Eagles 15/10,
Maties 2/1,
Ikeys 5/2,
Shimlas 10/1
20/1 and better the balance
Click here for the latest Outright Betting including season head-to-head and to reach the final betting
Shimlas v Ikeys – Click here to bet
Shimlas were runners-up in the League stages to Pukke last season with 5 wins and 2 losses in their 7 matches. They then hosted UCT in Bloemfontein in the semi-final, but never recovered from a slow start and were beaten 65-30 in a high scoring affair.
Like all teams, Shimlas have lost a few players, but they look to have more continuity than most of the other sides.
The UCT, Ikeys finished 3rd on the table with 4 victories and 3 defeats and after blowing Shimlas away in the semi-finals they fell just short of winning the Tournament, losing 27-25 away to Pukke in the final.
UCT have also retained the core of their squad which took them to last year’s final.
In last season’s regular season match UCT beat Shimlas 29-12 at home.
Shimlas play a very attractive brand of rugby and this is certainly a game where I expect the points to flow. I give Ikeys a clear edge though and will back them to win the match.
Suggested Bet: Ikeys win at 17/20
CUT v UJ – Click here to bet
CUT finished 7th last season with 3 victories and 4 defeats. The highlight of their season was the Round 2, 23-19 away win at Maties.
UJ finished 6th on the log and missed out on the playoffs by just 2 points. They won 3 and lost 4 of their 7 matches. UJ were at home to CUT in the League stages last season, but lost 54-12 in a game they will be looking to banish from memory.
The handicap for this game has been set at -4.5 and it is not a game I am going to be getting heavily involved in, my leaning though is to the home team who have had a bit less disruption to their squad.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, CUT -4.5 at 17/20
UWC v Wits – Click here to bet
UWC have been promoted from the Varsity Shield and have a tough task, first up against Wits who finished 5th on the log last season, 2 points behind 4th placed Maties.
Wits won 3 and lost 3 of 6 matches last season with their game against Pukke not being made a few good recruiting moves. This handicap opened +19.5 UWC and I am not surprised the money has come for them and I am going to bet on a Wits victory here, but by less than 13 points.
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Wits under 12.5 points at 15/10.
Maties v NWU Eagles – Click here to bet
Maties finished 4th on the log with 4 victories and 3 defeats and they met the Eagles in the semi-final in Potch going down 19-10 in a low scoring affair. Maties have not won the Varsity Cup since 2019.
Pukke topped the table with 5 wins and 1 loss and after seeing off Maties in the semi-final they held out to beat UCT 27-25 in the final at home. Pukke also hosted Maties in the regular season with Maties getting up on that occasion, 31-28.
Both these sides have very different-looking squads to the ones we saw last year, but I must admit I am surprised to see Maties starting underdogs at home.
Suggested Bet: Maties win at 21/20
Click here for betting on all of the Varsity Cup action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
