The 4 South African sides are back in URC action this weekend and we take a look at the matches from a betting angle.

 

 

 

Let’s start with a look at the latest Outright Betting where Leinster remain firm favourites at 4/9 to lift the cup with Munster 11/2, Ulster 17/2 and the Stormers have now shortened in to 10/1, you can get 14/1 the Sharks and 16/1 and better the balance.

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FRIDAY

BLUE BULLS v GLASGOW WARRIORS

The Bulls currently sit 8^th on the table after a scrappy win over Benetton at home last week. They drew clear in the second-half to win by 17 points, but given the bookmakers had given the visitors a 26 point start it wasn’t the best of performances from the Bulls.

The Bulls have been strong at home against overseas opposition with fairly comfortable wins over Ulster, the Dragons and Scarlets and they stepped off the gas late against Munster eventually winning that one by 5 points.

The Glasgow Warriors were well beaten by the Stormers last week going down 32-7 despite opening the scoring. They are still very much in playoff contention sitting 6^th on the table, 2 points above the Bulls, but they will need to put in a much improved performance to what they delivered last week.

 

BETTING – Click here to bet

Blue Bulls 2/9

Draw 28/1

Glasgow Warriors 4/1

Handicap: Blue Bulls -10.5

 

Suggested Bet: First-half handicap, Blue Bulls (-4.5) at 17/20

I am expecting a strong start from a Blue Bulls side who will be looking to make amends for a poor showing last week.

 

SATURDAY

LIONS v BENETTON

The Lions were a touch unlucky last week going down by 3 points to Connacht at home. The performance itself wasn’t particularly impressive, but they did look to have earned a penalty with the final scrum of the game, however the ref waved play on and Connacht kicked the ball to touch.

The Lions had previously lost by 27 points away to the Sharks and before that they strung a run of 4 successive home wins together. The Lions currently sit 12^th on the table, 1 position and 8 points above Benetton in 13^th.

Benetton were well beaten in the end by the Bulls last week and in matches at home against South African teams they beat the Stormers by 4 and lost by 22 points to the Sharks.

 

BETTING – Click here to bet

Lions 2/11

Draw 33/1

Benetton 9/2

Handicap: Lions -11.5

Suggested Bet: Handicap, Lions (-11.5) at 19/20

Benetton performed better than expected last week, but I think they are going to run into a determined Lions outfit who will run them off the park.

 

SHARKS v CONNACHT

The Sharks are currently 4^th on the log and are coming off a rather shaky 5 point win at home to Leinster last weekend. Although they narrowly beat the opening handicap of (-3.5) they were up against a very much academy Leinster side and it was concerning the way they battled to put them away. The Sharks have been strong at home this season with the really disappointing results been the Edinburgh loss.

Connacht beat the Lions on the road and they certainly are a hard team for punters to call especially away from home where they are very inconsistent. Their other games against South African teams this season have been at home where they hammered the Bulls by 27 and edged the Stormers by 2. Connacht currently sit 10^th on the log.

 

BETTING – Click here to bet

Sharks 1/4

Draw 28/1

Connacht 17/20

Handicap: Sharks -9.5

Suggested Bet: Sharks by 1-12 points inclusive PRICE TO FOLLOW.

I think this is going to be another tight tussle and while I think the Sharks will win I don’t think they are going to run away with it. I am just waiting for a price on the winning margin by 1-12 and will post that on Friday night.

 

STORMERS v LEINSTER

The Stormers are flying the flag high for the South African teams and they are currently 2^nd on the log, 9 points behind runaway leaders Leinster. The Stormers have proved formidable opposition at home winning 7 on the trot and last week they made short work of an 8 point handicap at home to the Warriors beating them 32-7.

Leinster are in the enviable position of being able to rest key players for the tour to South Africa, but their second string side nearly did the business last week before eventually going down 28-23 to the Sharks in Durban.

 

BETTING – Click here to bet

Stormers 2/9

Draw 28/1

Leinster 4/1

Handicap: Stormers -10.5

Suggested Bet: High Scoring Half, Second at 10/11

Not a bet I often take, but I am undecided on the handicap and I am expecting quite a tight start from both sides with the Stormers potentially drawing clear to win well in the second half.

 

Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change