The Stormers take on European Champions Cup holders La Rochelle in Cape Town on Saturday with both sides looking for a first win in Pool 4.
Stormers v La Rochelle, Saturday 16th December, Cape Town KO 15:00 (South African time)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita) , Simon Harding (Eng)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
Weather Forecast – Cape Town
Stormers:
The Stormers faced a tough task in their opening match away to Leicester Tigers who are going well in the Premiership. Although they lost the game 35-26 a way under strength side emerged with great credit and handicap punters who were on +18.5 were in the winners enclosure. The Stormers led the game 17-10 at half time and it was only at the death that Leicester scored the decisive try which earned them a bonus point and saw the Stormers leave empty handed.
The Stormers had been below par in the current United Rugby Championship campaign with just 3 wins and they lost all 4 of their tour matches to lie tenth in the standings.
In last season's Champions Cup the Stormers won 3 and lost 1 of their pool matches before edging out Harlequins in Cape Town in the Round of 16 and they bowed out in the quarter finals with a heavy defeat away to Exeter.
After this the Stormers will host Sale Sharks before they finish up away to Stade Francais
In the outright betting to win the Champions Cup the Stormers are priced at 18.5/1 with BoyleSports
La Rochelle:
Defending champions La Rochelle hosted Leinster in the opening round and they finished on the losing side, going down 16-9 to the team they had beaten in the previous 2 finals. La Rochelle trailed 6-10 at half time and Leinster scored the only try of the game and the French side had to settle for a losing bonus point.
In the Top 14 La Rochelle are in ninth position in the standings with a record of 4 wins and 5 defeats.
After this La Rochelle host Leicester Tigers and they finish the pool stage away to Sale Sharks.
In the outright betting to win the Champions Cup La Rochelle are 52/10 shots with BoyleSports
Team News
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Courtnall Skosan
La Rochelle: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Jules Favre, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Yoan Tanga, 7 Levani Botia, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Thomas Lavault, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Reda Wardi
Replacements: 16 Sacha Idoumi, 17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Remi Picquette, 21 Judicael Cancoriet, 22 Teddy Iribaren, 23 Hugo Reus
The Betting
Stormers -4.5 points
La Rochelle +4.5 points
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
It takes a top quality side to beat the Stormers in Cape Town and whilst La Rochelle certainly fall into that category I fancy the Stormers, buoyed by returning Boks and playing their first match of the season at Greenpoint can get the job done and cover this handicap.
Bet: Stormers -4.5 points at 9/10 widely available
More bets from our rugby punters are available on our discussion forum
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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