South African Rugby is back and the season is opened with a Super Fan Saturday double header at Loftus and we take a look at both fixtures from a betting angle.
It has been over 6 months since a Provincial rugby match has taken place in South Africa and fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of these 2 matches. Of course the Stadium will be empty, but there will be plenty sitting on couches and perhaps in pubs just happy to have the local teams in action again.
As these are essentially Friendlies caution is suggested when it comes to betting. Have a punt but make your focus just to enjoy that we have local rugby to watch again.
BULLS v SHARKS
The Bulls play their first match under Jake White and having opened underdogs for this game they were backed into 15/20 favourites but have now drifted to 21/20. They have a very strong pack which I would expect to get on top of the Sharks over the 80 minutes and although I give the Sharks the edge in the back line, it is up front where I think the Bulls can lay the foundation for victory.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Bulls 21/20
Draw 25/1
Sharks 9/10
Handicap: Blues (+0.5) at 9/10, Sharks (-0.5) at 9.10
Suggested Bet: Bulls win at 21/20
As suggested above I like the Bulls here and I think that altitude could also play a role towards the end of the match.
LIONS v STORMERS
The Stormers have been priced as favourites for this fixture with the handicap (-3.5) at the time of writing. Looking at the sides I do believe the Stormers have the edge, but I also think that altitude could play a bigger role than normal in this local derby given that the Stormers side would have spent all of lockdown at sea level.
The Lions are missing some of the big names we have seen in recent years, but they are always full of running and this is a match where I will be looking to go high on Lions points once the lines are out. For now though I will settle for a play on the handicap as I expect the Stormers to be breathing heavily in the second half and reckon the Lions can snatch a win.
Betting - Click here to bet
Lions 14/10
Draw 28/1
Stormers 6/10
Handicap: Lions (+3.5) at 9/10, Stormers (-3.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Lions (+3.5) at 9/10
These festival games can be hard to call and another option for punters would be to wait for the in-running betting which will be available on the World Sports Betting website.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
