It's Week 17 of the URC and Brent Graham has a look at the handicaps, the latest outright betting, the weather and towards the end of the week a bet in each match with the fixtures featuring South African teams getting their own previews.

 

 

A reminder the SA matches have their own previews - available here 

 

BENETTON v GLASGOW
Posted 10 May 00h57

The 1st I saw of this handicap it was +4.5 Benetton and it quickly came into +1.5 but has gone out to +2.5.
Both teams have plenty to play for with Glasgow probably needing a bonus point win to keep ahead of the Bulls and Benetton will probably be outside the playoff by kick off.
The weather looks good and the points line is 49.5 nd I think we will get 50 in this one.

BET: 3 units over 49.5 points at 9/10 at Pokerbet

 

LEINSTER v ZEBRE
Posted 10 May 00h48

There was talk of Leinster fielding a B team but that is not the case and looking at the team selected I think they want the job done early.
The bookies and your truly made the handicap -25.5 in the week but at the time of writing it is -32.5.
The points line is 64.5 and conditions look good with some cloud over possible but no rain forecast.

The market I am waiting for is not out yet and I may only get this bet down on Saturday afternoon.I will post it below and not at the top of the blog.

 

Posted 10 May 14h32

The best quote I can get on Leinster points in the 1st half is 24.5 and instead I am taking the -16.5 half time cap. I expect a strong start from Leinster and for them to have the job done at by the break. 

 

BET: 3 units Leinster -16.5 1st half handicap at 17/20 at Pokerbet

 

TEAMS ARE OUT 

Posted 09 May 14h53

 

The teams are out and while we are still waiting for points bets will start filtering through starting with a Saturday night game. 

 

CONNACHT v EDINBURGH

This handicap has been stable around -5.5 and -6.5 Connacht.
The points line is not out yet and the weather forecast is for mild conditions with some cloud but no showers at this point.

Connacht are still in the playoff hunt but their chances are slim and I fancy Edinburgh who are 4 points ahead of them to be the more focused and to cause a minor upset.

BET: 2 units Edinburgh win at 21/10 at WSB

 

MUNSTER v ULSTER

Posted 09 May 07h32

This handicap has been fairly stable at -7.5, -8.5 Munster all week. 

Munster would most likely move into the playoff spots with a win while Ulster could keep their slim hopes of qualifying alive. 

The points line is 48.5 and after initially seeing showers forecast it looks likely to be decent conditions. 

I think Ulster are almost obliged to chase a bonus point win and Munster themselves could use 4 tries and while I am far form confident a small interest in the points overs is my play. 

I was initially looking at the Munster cap but Ulster have named a strong team. 

 

BET: 3 units over 48.5 points at 9/10 at Pokerbet 

 

Click here for our Sharks v Ospreys preview and a Friday night overs play

 

THE HANDICAP - our live rugby betting show (Thursdays at 21h00)

Here is the link to watch the show on Facebook

Click here for the Super Rugby Blog 

Weather links to follow shortly  

 

WEATHER LINKS FOR WEEK 17 URC MATCHES 

 

Friday, 9 May 2025

Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Ospreys
Kickoff: 19:00 (SA time)
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Surface: Grass

• Weather Forecast: Clear, temp 23/24 degrees
• Humidity: Early 80’s
• Forecast sourced at 19h33 on 08 May from timeanddate

  

Munster vs Ulster
Kickoff: 20:35 (SA time)
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Surface: Hybrid

• Weather Forecast: Showers forecast, Temps in late teens
• Humidity: Early 50’s
• Forecast sourced at 19h38 on 08 May from timeanddate

 

Saturday, 10 May 2025

Vodacom Bulls vs Cardiff Rugby
Kickoff: 16:00 (SA time)
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Surface: Grass

• Weather Forecast: low 20’s, clear
• Humidity: Low 30’s
• Forecast sourced at 20h25 on 08 May from timeanddate

 

 

DHL Stormers vs Dragons RFC
Kickoff: 18:15 (SA time)
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Surface: Hybrid

• Weather Forecast: Rain forecast, possible storm around kick off
• Humidity: Early 80’s
• Forecast sourced at 20h28 on 08 May from timeanddate

 

Leinster vs Zebre Parma
Kickoff: 18:15 (SA time)
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Surface: Hybrid

• Weather Forecast: Cool (around 15 degrees) but clear
• Humidity: Early 50’s
• Forecast sourced at 20h32 on 08 May from timeanddate

 

Benetton vs Glasgow Warriors
Kickoff: 18:15 (SA time)
Venue: Stadio Comunale di Monigo stadium, Treviso
Surface: Grass

• Weather Forecast: Clear and mild (19 degrees)
• Humidity: In 50’s
• Forecast sourced at 20h38 on 08 May from timeanddate

 

Connacht vs Edinburgh Rugby
Kickoff: 20:35 (SA time)
Venue: Dexcom Stadium, Galway
Surface: 3G synthetic surface

• Weather Forecast: Chance of showers, temp around 18 degrees
• Humidity: in the 60’s
• Forecast sourced at 20h45 on 08 May from timeanddate

 

Sunday, 11 May 2025

Emirates Lions vs Scarlets
Kickoff: 15:00 (SA time)
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Surface: Grass

• Weather Forecast: Mild, around 18 degrees, clear
• Humidity: In 20’s
• Forecast sourced at 20h47 on 08 May from timeanddate

 

MONEY COMES FOR BULLS, BENETTON, STORMERS AND LEINSTER 

Posted 06 May 10h45

There has been money for a few teams - original handicaps in brackets 

 

Hollywoodbets Sharks  (-16.5) -16.5 vs Ospreys

Munster  (-7.5) -7.5 vs Ulster 

Vodacom Bulls (-16.5) -18.5 vs Cardiff

DHL Stormers  (-29.5) -32.5 vs Dragons 

Leinster  (-25.5) -27.5 vs Zebre Parma

Benetton  (+4.5) +1.5 vs Glasgow Warriors 

Connacht  (-5.5) -6.5 vs Edinburgh

Emirates Lions  (-8.5) -7.5 vs Scarlets

 

URC WEEK 17 HANDICAPS ARE OUT 

Posted 05 May 12h59

The handicaps are out and below the Betxhange caps in brackets next to mine 

 

Hollywoodbets Sharks -16.5 (-16.5) vs Ospreys

Munster -9.5 (-7.5) vs Ulster - believe this line may have moved from +10/11 

Vodacom Bulls -16.5 (-16.5) vs Cardiff

DHL Stormers -22.5 (-29.5) vs Dragons - 7 point difference but I can understand it, Dragons nothing to play for may send youngsters

Leinster -25.5 (-25.5) vs Zebre Parma

Benetton +5.5 (+4.5) vs Glasgow Warriors - Glasgow team news will be crucial

Connacht -6.5 (-5.5) vs Edinburgh

Emirates Lions -12.5 (-8.5) vs Scarlets - 4 point difference, Scarlets have more to play for

 

No early moves for me 

 

HANDICAP PROJECTIONS FOR WEEK 17 

Posted 04 May 21h19

Below are my handicap projections which I will compare with the bookies lines when they come out 

 

• Hollywoodbets Sharks -16.5 vs Ospreys - Sharks an consolidate top 4 spot, Ospreys squad will tell us if they think they can still qualify

• Munster -9.5 vs Ulster - 9th v 12th, must win for both sides

• Vodacom Bulls -16.5 vs Cardiff - Bulls can push for 2nd, Cardiff in 5th not quite safe yet 

• DHL Stormers -22.5 vs Dragons - Stormers can basically book top 8 spot - Dragons guaranteed to come last 

• Leinster -25.5 vs Zebre Parma - will be interesting to see the Leinster team 

• Benetton +5.5 vs Glasgow Warriors - Benetton need the win, Glasgow will want to keep 2nd spot 

• Connacht -6.5 vs Edinburgh - 10th v 14th, Connacht qualification looks unlikely, Edinburgh coming off home defeat to Bath in Challenge Cup

• Emirates Lions -12.5 vs Scarlets - 7th v 13th, Lions 6 points off top 8 and unlikley to qualify, Scarlets probably need 1 win 

 

Our rugby betting thread is up and running in the forum 

 

URC TABLE AND BETTING UPDATE AFTER WEEK 16 

Posted 04 May 21h06

With just 2 rounds of regular season matches remaining we look at the latest table and outright betting 

 

OUTRIGHT BETTING AT WSB - Leinster firm favourites to make amends for Champions Cup exit 

 

• Leinster Rugby - 2/5
• Vodacom Bulls - 9/2
• Glasgow Warriors - 17/2
• Hollywoodbets Sharks - 10/1
• Munster Rugby - 15/1
• DHL Stormers - 22/1
• Cardiff Rugby - 45/1
• Edinburgh Rugby - 115/1
• Benetton Rugby - 115/1
• Scarlets - 150/1
• Emirates Lions - 250/1
• Connacht Rugby - 250/1
• Ulster Rugby - 300/1
• Ospreys - 300/1

 

Handicap projections to follow later tonight