We take a look at the 3 Super Rugby Unlocked matches taking place this weekend and suggest a bet in each.
LIONS v GRIQUAS
The Lions match against the Cheetahs last week was called off due to COVID-19, but they are able to field a team this time out, by all accounts the match against Griquas will go ahead.
The Lions opened their campaign with a 3 point defeat away to the Sharks and the following week they were beaten by 6 points away at the Stormers.
Griquas ran the Bulls close at Loftus in their opener losing by 7 and they then lost by 6 to the Pumas at home.
For recent head-to-head form you have to look at the Currie Cup where the Lions last 2 home matches against the Griquas have seen them win by 15 and 21 points respectively.
BETTING- Click here to bet
Lions 2/9
Draw 33/1
Griquas 4/1
Handicap: Lions (-11.5) at 9/10, Griquas (+11.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Lions (-11.5) at 9/10
The Lions have picked a strong side and I was not impressed by the Griquas in their home performance against the Pumas.
PUMAS v SHARKS
The Pumas looked like causing an upset last week at home to the Stormers, leading for long periods before conceding late tries to go down 37-42. They had previously beaten the Griquas away and got well beaten by the Cheetahs also on the road.
The Sharks opened their campaign with a narrow win over the Lions and last week they were well beaten by the Bulls, going down by 27 points at Loftus.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Pumas 7/2
Draw 33/1
Sharks 1/4
Handicap: Pumas (+10.5) at 9/10, Sharks (-10.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sharks (-10.5) at 9/10
The Pumas traditionally give a good account of themselves at home to the Sharks in the Currie Cup and they won last year 27-20 and you have to go back to 2016 for the last time the Sharks would have beaten this handicap on the road. That being said, the Pumas are already starting to look stretched from a depth perspective and I think the Sharks can bounce back from their poor showing against the Bulls.
BULLS v STORMERS
This is a match that everyone is talking about with the Bulls going as favourites after a convincing victory over the Sharks at home last week. Their other home game was less impressive, a 7 point win over Griquas in Week 1.
The Stormers opened their campaign with a hard fought 6 point win over the Lions at home and they then came from behind to beat the Pumas last week by 5 points, a game in which they started 17 point favourites.
The Bulls have won their last 2 home matches against the Stormers in Super Rugby and in 2019 they beat them 40-3.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Bulls 13/20
Draw 25/1
Stormers 15/10
Handicap: Bulls (-3.5) at 9/10, Stormers (+3.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Bulls (-3.5) at 9/10
The Stormers do look to have a stronger side this week than the one they fielded against the Pumas, but if the Bulls can reproduce anything like the form they showed against the Sharks they should win this game fairly comfortably.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
