BULvSHACouch Critic previews Bulls v Sharks and the Lions v Stormers on Super Hero Saturday including best bets with @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

 

South African fans have had to twiddle their thumbs for way too long. The country of the reigning World Champions finally return to the field this coming weekend and despite it being more of a festival-type hit out we can’t miss the chance to get stuck into a bet. Here is how I see things going down on Superhero Saturday at Loftus.

 

Bulls vs Sharks – Saturday 26 Sept @ 16:30

 

The Sharks were the toast of the town in the cancelled Super Rugby earlier in the year. Yet one has to remember that it will be a changed team lining up for duty at Loftus on Saturday. Manie Libbok and Werner Kok will don the Black Panther strip for the first time whilst the talented Fasi is out injured and others not available for duty include Mapimpi, James Venter and of course André Esterhuizen.

For the Bulls it’s a first outing under Jake White. Listing new players in blue would take way too long but look out for the return of Gio Aplon, Arno Botha, Nizaam Carr and Jacques van Rooyen to SA shores.

This is far from the Sharks team that was so successful in Super Rugby. Given the track record of White one would also expect the Bulls to come out of the blocks charging, despite the fact that they have many new combinations. Whilst other sides might treat these games more as a friendly throw-about I expect Jake to have his team tuned in to get off to a winning start.

 

Lions vs Stormers – Saturday 26 Sept @ 19:00

 

The Lions looked well off the pace in 2020. Jaco Visagie, Ruan Dreyer and Burger Odendaal and have all been drafted into the system to try and add some experience and stability to a young Lions squad. Jaco Kriel will make his long-awaited return for his old franchise. Divan Russouw and EW Viljoen are others who come looking for a brighter future in the bright lights of Johannesburg.

Capetonians will get their first look at Warrick Gelant in Stormers colours. For the rest there is a good blend of exciting young talent and established stars. World Cup winners Kolisi, Malherbe, Kitshoff and Mbonambi (off the bench) are offset with young talents like Ricus Pretorius, Ernst van Rhyn and Tristan Leyds.

In Rabs Maxwane, Wandile Simelane and Jumbo Ulengo (on the extended bench) there is no shortage of x-factor for the highvelders yet one struggles to see them fronting up defensively to contain this attacking young Stormers outfit. This should be a high-paced game which I see the coastal side winning with a bit of room to spare in the end.

 

 

BETOLIMP BEST BETS

 

Double: Bulls win onto Stormers win @ 2.86

Stormers -5.5 @ 1.83

 

Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R3,000 here

 

(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)

 

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