The United Rugby Championship continues this weekend and we take a look at the 4 matches involving South African teams.
Let’s start with a quick look at the latest Outright Betting where Leinster are 11/20 favourites to win the title. The Sharks are the top South African side at 17/2 with the Stormers and Bulls both at 10/1. The Lions are 90/1 for the title.
Click here for United Rugby Championship Outright Betting
FRIDAY
BLUE BULLS v CONNACHT
The Bulls were given a real scare at home to Edinburgh last week winning 33-31 with Morné Steyn kicking the winning points in the 79th minute. Edinburgh had a chance to win the game in the final minute, but the kick sailed wide. They opened their campaign with a 16 point victory away to the Lions.
Connacht had been well beaten by Ulster in their opening round before travelling to the Stormers last week where they were well backed at handicap levels around the 13 point mark. They found the Stormers too good going down 38-15.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Blue Bulls 1/11
Draw 45/1
Connacht 8/1
Handicap: Blue Bulls -18.5
Suggested Bet: Blue Bulls, Total Points over 38.5 at 9/10
For this bet to arrive we need the Bulls to score 39 points something I fancy them to do against a Connacht side that looks to be struggling and conceded 38 points last week to the Stormers at sea level.
CARDIFF v LIONS
Cardiff opened their campaign with a 7 point home win over Munster, but last week found the Glasgow Warriors too good on the road going down by 28 points.
The Lions were beaten 31-15 by the Bulls in Johannesburg in their opening match, but scored a late try last week to stun the Ospreys 28-27 on the road.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Cardiff 5/10
Draw 25/1
Lions 19/10
Handicap: Cardiff -5.5
Suggested Bet: Lions win at 19/10
I think the Lions will have taken a lot out of their victory last week and I put them in with a very real shout of adding another Welsh scalp on their travels.
SATURDAY
STORMERS v EDINBURGH
THE Stormers played their first match of the season last week beating Connacht comfortably by 38 points to 15. They face an Edinburgh side that were comfortable victors at home against the Dragons, winning by 38 points and despite starting double digit underdogs last week at Loftus they almost pulled off a victory against the Bulls going down by 2 points in a high scoring encounter.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Stormers 4/10
Draw 25/1
Edinburgh 12/5
Handicap: Stormers -6.5
Suggested Bet: Result and Totals, Stormers and over 47.5 points at 27/20
For this bet to arrive I need the Stormers to win the game and 48 points or more in total. I particularly like that points spread and conditions should be good in Cape Town and hopefully the Stormers can do the business.
DRAGONS v SHARKS
The Dragons pulled off an upset last week when they beat Munster 23-17 at home and that a week after they had taken a hammering at Edinburgh going down 44-6. They are now back at home and face a Sharks team that almost let it slip against Zebre last week building a big lead to eventually win 42-37 in Italy. That was the Shark’s first game of the season.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Dragons 26/10
Draw 28/1
Sharks 37/100
Handicap: Dragons +7.5
Suggested bet: Sharks Points over 30.5 at 8/10
I am expecting a more polished performance by the Sharks this week now that they have got their first match under the belt. Rather than back them on the handicap I am going to take them to reach at least 31 points in the match.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
