We take a look at the four Varsity Cup matches taking place on Monday and suggest a bet in each game.
The NWU Eagles have drifted from 1/1 to 16/10 to win the tournament with the Maties and UCT Ikeys both priced at 5/2. You can get 4/1 the Shimlas and 12/1 and better the balance.
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NWU Eagles v WITS – Click here to bet
The Eagles are currently 3rd on the log with 2 victories and 1 loss. In round 1 they beat the Maties 23-12 on the road and followed that up with a 49-15 home win over UWC. Last week though they lost 35-26 away to the Shimlas.
Wits are currently 2nd on the table having also opened with 2 victories followed by a loss. Wits hammered UWC by 55 points on the road in week 1 and they came from behind to beat CUT 34-17 at home in round 2. They were away at Maties last week where they lost a low scoring encounter 23-12.
Handicap: NWU Eagles -11.5
This should be an entertaining game to watch and while I think the handicap is well set, I am going to have a bet that we get 55 points or more.
Suggested Bet: Over 54.5 points at 17/20
Shimlas UWC – Click here to bet
The Shimlas are currently top of the table having bounced back from a 6 point home loss to UCT in week 1, winning their next two fixtures 34-31 away at UJ and 35-26 at home to Pukke.
UWC are bottom of the table with 3 losses and a points difference of -106. They were beaten by 55 points by Wits in round 1 and lost by 34 points away to Pukke in round 2 and last week lost by 17 points at home to CUT.
Handicap: Shimlas -35.5
It looks a big handicap, but if Shimlas can reproduce the form that saw them beat Pukke last week, I can see them winning this by 50 points or more.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Shimlas -35.5 at 17/20
UCT Ikeys v CUT – Click here to bet
The Ikeys are currently sitting 4th on the log after 2 wins and 1 loss. They opened their campaign with a 6 point win away to the Shimlas before going down by 5 points at home to Maties. UJ gave them plenty to think about last week in Cape Town, but UCT won 32-21.
CUT are 5th on the log having also had 2 victories and 1 loss. They beat UJ 23-19 in round 1 before going down by 17 points away to Wits. Last week they played bottom of the table, UWC winning 38-21 on the road.
Handicap: Ikeys -15.5
CUT are certainly no pushovers, but I think that Ikeys can beat this handicap and I also like under 61.5 Total Points and after giving it further thought I will settle on that as my bet.
Suggested Bet: Under 61.5 points at 17/20
Maties v UJ – Click here to bet
Maties are currently 6th on the log having started their season slowly with a home loss to Pukke. They bounced back with a narrow away win over the Ikeys and then beat Wits 23-12 at home last week.
UJ are currently 7th on the table and have lost all 3 of their matches this season so far. They were beaten by CUT in round 1 and lost a thriller 31-34 to the Shimlas at home in round 2 before going down by 9 points away to the Ikeys last week.
Handicap: Maties -11.5
Maties seem to be improving as the Tournament progresses and I am backing them to win this one by 12 points or more.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Maties -11.5 at 17/20
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change