All 4 South African teams are in action in the United Rugby Championship this weekend and we suggest a bet in each match.
Let’s have a quick look at the Outright Betting where Leinster remain firm favourites at 11/20. You can get 15/2 Munster, 17/2 the Sharks with the Stormers and Ulster both priced at 9/1. The Blue Bulls are 10/1 and you can get 30/1 and better the balance.
Click here for United Rugby Championship Outright betting
FRIDAY
ZEBRE v SHARKS
Zebre have long been the whipping boys of European competitions, but they showed last week at home to Leinster that they could be capable of an upset or two this season. They were well down early in the match, but came down to lose by just 4 points, a game where they started 30 point underdogs.
The Sharks make their season debut having been knocked out in the first round of the playoffs last season after finishing 5th on the log. They have had a couple of warm up games against the Lions and the Stormers, both of which they won with the Lions game been a high scoring encounter and the Stormers a much lower scoring game.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Zebre 7/1
Draw 40/1
Sharks 1/9
Handicap: Zebre +16.5
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin Spread, Sharks by 16 to 20 points inclusive at 16/1
This is a speculative play and that is because I think the handicap is well set. The Sharks should gain control of the match at some point and hopefully our points winning margin is a runner.
SATURDAY
STORMERS v CONNACHT
This match takes place at the Danie Craven Stadium and there should be an excellent atmosphere. The Stormers are the defending URC Champions having beaten the Bulls in the final in Cape Town last year. Their title winning campaign was built around an undefeated home record against visiting overseas sides last season.
Connacht were disappointing last week going down by 26 points on the road to Ulster, but there are a number of personnel changes in the team this week. Connacht beat the Stormers at home last season.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Stormers 2/9
Draw 28/1
Connacht 4/1
Handicap: Stormers -10.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Connacht +10.5 at 10/11
I am expecting a much improved Connacht team this week and the Stormers are missing key players and new combinations may take some time to get to know each other.
BLUE BULLS v EDINBURGH
The Bulls lost narrowly to the Stormers in the final last year having beaten Leinster in the semi-finals in Dublin.
They were in action last week away to the Lions and they started quickly and never really relinquished their grip on the game although the Lions did fight back to pull the scores level early in the second-half. Ultimately though the Bulls were too strong running out 16 point victors.
Edinburgh were 6-0 down early to the Dragons at home last week before scoring 44 unanswered points for a comfortable victory. They played 3 matches in South Africa last season, beating the Sharks in Durban and losing narrowly to the Lions in Johannesburg before a playoff loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Blue Bulls 1/4
Draw 28/1
Edinburgh 7/2
Handicap: Blue Bulls -10.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Blue Bulls -10.5 at 19/20
The Bulls have a formidable squad and although Edinburgh will try to slow the game down I am predicting the strength of the South African team coupled with the altitude will be too much for them.
OSPREYS v LIONS
The Ospreys started narrow underdogs away to the Scarlets last week and the match ended in a 23-23 draw. They were beaten by all 4 South African sides last season.
The Lions look to be in for another hard slog this season after going down 31-15 at home to the Bulls last weekend. They failed to capitalise on numerous scoring opportunities and this is something they will have to put right in the first of their 3 Tour matches.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Ospreys 2/7
Draw 28/1
Lions 16/5
Handicap: Ospreys -9.5
Suggested Bet: Ospreys Total Points over 29.5 at 8/10
The weather looks like being decent in Swansea and I think this Ospreys side are going to have too much for a Lions team that really disappointed last week.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
