There are 3 Super Rugby Unlocked matches taking place this weekend, we take a look at each of them and suggest a bet in each.
PUMAS v STORMERS
The Pumas play their first fixture at home in Nelspruit having lost by 22 points to the Cheetahs on the road and then stunning the Griquas, beating them by 6 points also on the road. They were certainly much improved against Griquas having been blown away in the first-half against the Cheetahs where they conceded over 40 points.
Stormers got off to a rusty start last week eventually hanging on to beat the Lions 23-17 having had a bye in Week 1.
Looking back at recent Currie Cup head to head matches hosted by the Pumas they were well beaten 57-28 in 2018, but beat WP 22-12 in 2017.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Pumas 17/2
Draw 45/1
Stormers 1/10
Handicap: Pumas (+18.5) at 9/10, Stormers (-18.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: 1st try Scorer Bongi Mbonambi at 12/1
The Stormers maul looked powerful against the Griquas last week and I can see Bongi guiding them home from a 5m lineout.
LIONS v CHEETAHS
The Lions will be looking for their first win of the season having lost by 3 points to the Sharks away and by 6 points to the Stormers away in their opening two games.
The camp has been rocked by the news that a number of their players have tested positive for COVID-19 and bookies understandably took a while to reset the betting having originally priced this as a virtually even game.
The Cheetahs have a 100% record in the Super Rugby Unlocked having beaten the Pumas 53-31 at home and then the Bulls 19-17 also in Bloemfontein. If anything they will be disappointed they let the Bulls get within 2 points last week and a win against the Lions on the road could set them up for a run at the title.
BETTING - Click here to bet
Lions 18/10
Draw 25/1
Cheetahs 5/10
Handicap: Lions (+4.5) at 9/10, Cheetahs (-4.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Cheetahs -4.5 at 9/10
This Lions team have been rocked by the number of unavailable players and the Cheetahs should take advantage.
BULLS v SHARKS
The Bulls laboured to a 30-23 win over Griquas in Week 1 and last week they were far from their best in being beaten 19-17 by the Cheetahs on the road.
They now face a Sharks side that they beat convincingly in the Super Fan Saturday match and that they have also beaten them at home in their last 2 Currie Cup encounters.
The Sharks are coming off a bye having held on to beat the Lions 19-16 in a dour encounter in Durban in Week 1.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Bulls 23/20
Draw 25/1
Sharks 8/10
Handicap: Bulls (+1.5) at 9/10, Sharks (-1.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Bulls win at 23/20
The Bulls are drifting in the betting but hey will be a force at home and the Sharks team haven’t shown that much since the return to action.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
