The final round of Varsity Cup group stage matches takes place on Monday and we take a look at all 4 games suggesting a bet in each.
Let’s start with a look at the Outright Betting where the NWU Eagles are now the 5/4 favourites to win the Tournament with the Maties having shortened into 15/10, the Ikeys are 4/1 alongside the Shimlas and mathematically those are the only sides that can win the Tournament.
Click here for the latest Outright Betting
Update: 09h50 8 April
NOTE: Heavy rain in Joburg so be careful if going overs on points. If it carries on like this I doubt the Wits and UJ pitches will be playable. I would not go overs in these conditions but still like th UJ -28.5.
WITS v SHIMLAS – Click here to bet
Wits are 5th on the log, but a distant 9 points behind 4th place, Shimlas and they cannot qualify for the semi-finals. They were beaten 49-26 away to UJ in their last start and their last home game was a 33-33 draw with UCT.
Shimlas lost 38-29 at home to Maties in their last start and although they are 4th on the table they are level on points with UCT and Maties and just 2 points behind leaders Pukke. Prior to the Maties loss they had won 4 in a row and they have won all 3 games on the road this season.
Shimlas edged this fixture 26-25 at home this season and when the sides met at Wits in 2022, it was the Joburg based team which won 53-31.
Handicap: Wits +6.5
VERDICT
Shimlas matches have been high scoring this season and the 57.5 currently on offer is certainly tempting. There has been a lot of rain in Jo’burg on the weekend though so conditions may not be great and I will take a small bet now and if conditions look good, load up more prior to kick-off.
Suggested Bet: Over 57.5 points at 17/20
CUT v MATIES – Click here to bet
CUT are 6th on the table and have lost their last 3 games in a row, including going down 53-46 at home to Pukke last time out. Incredibly there have been exactly 99 points scored in each of their last 2 games.
Maties are finishing the season strong and they have won their last 5 games in a row, including beating Shimlas by 9 points away from home last time out. They have won all 3 of their away games this season.
Handicap: CUT +18.5
VERDICT
CUT’s last 2 games has averaged 99 points each and each of Maties last 2 games have gone over the 60 point mark so there is no hesitation in me taking the points currently on offer.
Suggested Bet: Over 59.5 points at 17/20
UJ v UWC – Click here to bet
UJ are currently 7th on the log, 7 points ahead of UWC who cannot catch them. UJ got a much needed win over Wits last time out, 49-26 at home and that was their first win of the season after 5 defeats.
UWC were hammered 91-9 by UCT at home in their last start and they haven't conceded less than 38 points all season.
Handicap: UJ -28.5
VERDICT
UJ beat Wits by 23 points at home and UWC lost by 55 points at home to Wits earlier this season and if this was a horse race, UJ would start north of 40 point favourites and I think the -28.5 is a solid play.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, UJ -28.5 at 17/20
NWU EAGLES v UCT IKEYS – Click here to bet
This is 1st place hosting 3rd on the table and there is plenty at stake with the loser most likely to finish 4th on the log and have to travel in their semi-final.
Pukke beat CUT 53-46 on the road last time out and they have scored 49 points or more in 4 of their last 5 matches.
UCT hammered UWC 91-9 and prior to that drew 33-33 away to Wits.
Handicap: Eagles -4.5
VERDICT
I like the total points line of over 56.5 as it would have arrived in 3 of the last 4 head-to-head matches between the sides. I think that Pukke will be too strong at home and also leaning towards the handicap of -4.5. At the end of the day I am settling on the points play.
Suggested Bet: Over 56.5 points at 17/20
Click here for betting on all four Varsity Cup matches.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
