South African teams get things going in the Rainbow Cup this weekend and we take a look at both matches from a betting angle.
STORMERS v SHARKS
Both of these teams have had a significant layoff since the end of the Preparation Series. The Stormers looked good towards the end of that series although they would have been disappointed to concede a late try and go down by 5 points to the Bulls at Loftus during their trip up north.
Steven Kitshoff has been appointed as the Stormers Captain and is in the front row where they would expect to gain the edge over their opponents.
The Sharks performance of the Preparation Series was a 45-12 home victory over the Bulls. The Bulls were not at full strength, but what made their performance particularly impressive that it was played in wet conditions in Durban and the Sharks handling was superb. They played a free-flowing brand of rugby in the Preparation Series and we can expect things to tighten up considerably in the Rainbow Cup.
BETTING - Click here to bet
Stormers 4/6
Draw 28/1
Sharks 14/10
Handicap: Stormers (-3.5) at 9/10, Sharks (+3.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Stormers (-3.5) at 9/10
This should be a cracking match to get the Rainbow Cup underway but based on what I saw at the end of the Preparation Series I think the Stormers have what it takes to win this game by 4 points or more.
BULLS v LIONS
In case you missed it, Worlds Sports Betting have just become the official betting partner for the Vodacom Bulls.
The Bulls used the Preparation Series very much as the name suggests and tended to mix teams up with a lot of the youngsters getting runs. They showed their mettle when they scored at the death to beat the Stormers 34-29 at Loftus and with the big guns set to swing back into action they should be the team to beat, having won the Currie Cup and Super Rugby Unlocked Titles last season.
The Lions have been a bit inconsistent of late while they beat the Sharks in a high-scoring thriller at home, they went down heavily to the Stormers in Cape Town in the Preparation Series. They were not involved in the business end of either the Currie Cup or Super Rugby Unlocked.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Bulls 1/3
Draw 33/1
Lions 26/10
Handicap: Bulls (-9.5) at 9/10, Lions (+9.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Bulls (-9.5) at 9/10
The Bulls should pack too much quality across the field for this Lions side and while I expect the Lions to give some cheek early I think the home team will pull clear to win comfortably.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
