The Bulls take on Benetton in the United Rugby Championship at Loftus on Saturday and @Olimp_SA have a preview with a play from “Bookie Basher”

As we enter Round 17, quarter-final placings are still up for grabs, making this weekend crucial for many teams. With numerous permutations on offer, this round is unlikely to disappoint and “Bookie Basher” takes a look at the Bulls v Benetton fixture taking place at Loftus Versfeld.

BULLS v BENETTON TREVISO

Match Handicap: Bulls -18.5, prices subject to change

The Bulls enter round 17 aiming to secure a home quarter-final in the early kickoff scheduled for this Saturday. They welcome Benetton to Loftus Versfeld off the back of an impressive 40-34 win over Glasgow last weekend, currently positioned 4th on the log. Overall, the Bulls have managed 11 wins and 5 defeats in the URC, tasting defeat just once in Pretoria at the hands of Munster. With a healthy ratio of 68 points per game at the capital, another high-scoring encounter can be expected, with the Bulls likely to contribute the brunt of them.

The Bulls have averaged 44 points per game at Loftus throughout this tournament, but when facing top 8 opposition, that average drops to 31 points.

Having already claimed a South African scalp in the previous round by overcoming the Sharks 25-24 in Durban, Benetton makes the journey to Pretoria hoping to spring another surprise on their African tour. The Italians have registered 10 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses to date, currently sitting 8th on the log, knowing that anything less than a win could result in forfeiting their place in the quarter-finals.

Benetton has averaged 23 points per game on their travels, and when facing top 8 opposition, their overall points tally reflects a similar ratio, averaging 22 points per game.

Head to Head:

The Bulls have won every game against Benetton, with their most recent encounter resulting in a 44-22 win away from home. These two have met once in Pretoria, where the Bulls triumphed 46-29 on that day.

BOOKIE BASHER PLAY

The Bulls have at times been guilty of defensive frailties this season, but with a 22-point winning margin average over Benetton, they should have far too much quality for the visitors to handle.

Handicap: Bulls -18.5 at 1.87

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Note, odds quoted are subject to change