We take a look at the 3 Super Rugby Unlocked matches taking place this weekend and suggest a bet in each.
SHARKS v CHEETAHS
The Sharks turned in comfortably their best performance of the season with a 42-19 away win over the Pumas last weekend. They had previously been well beaten by the Bulls on the road and in their only home match of the season they edged the Lions 19-16.
The Cheetahs have now gone two weeks without playing as they had a bye week last weekend and the weekend before, their game against the Lions was called off and declared a draw. Prior to that they had beaten the Bulls 19-17 at home and hammered the Pumas 53-31 in Bloemfontein.
BETTING- Click here to bet
Sharks 5/6
Draw 22/1
Cheetahs 11/10
Handicap: Sharks (-1.5) at 9/10, Cheetahs (+1.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Sharks win at 5/6
The Sharks look to be improving and perhaps approaching the sort of form that saw them comfortably the best South African side in the regular Super Rugby competition. The Cheetahs will be no pushovers, but in Durban I fancy the home team to get the win.
GRIQUAS v STORMERS
The Griquas were well beaten by the Lions 61-31 last week in Johannesburg and having lost to the Pumas at home by 6 points, their best performance remains the 7 point defeat away to the Bulls in Week 1.
The Stormers opened their campaign with a narrow win over the Lions and then beat the Pumas in a high scoring encounter in Nelspruit coming from behind to win in the dying minutes. That wasn’t impressive considering they started massive favourites and last week they were beaten 39-6 by the Bulls in a game which was stopped early due to lightning.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Griquas 33/10
Draw 33/1
Stormers 1/4
Handicap: Griquas (+11.5) at 9/10, Stormers (-11.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Stormers (-11.5) at 9/10
The Stormers haven’t been at their best and have certainly taken their time to get back into Super Rugby, but this is a Griquas side that has lost a number of key players recently and should be there for the taking.
LIONS v BULLS
The Lions play at home again having beaten the Griquas by 30 points in a high scoring encounter last week. The previous home game against the Cheetahs was called off due to COVID-19 and they lost narrowly on the road against both the Stormers and the Sharks.
The Bulls were less than impressive early in the competition, narrowly beating the Griquas at home and then getting beaten by the Cheetahs away. They came out strongly against the Sharks a couple of weeks ago winning by 27 points at Loftus and then beating the Stormers by 33 points last week in a shortened match.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Lions 2/1
Draw 28/1
Bulls 9/20
Handicap: Lions (+6.5) at 9/10, Bulls (-6.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Bulls (-6.5) at 9/10
The Bulls have found some excellent form under Jake White and although the Lions are coming off a good win I wasn’t that impressed with them against a very weak Griquas side.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
