The Rainbow Cup continues this week and we take a look at the 2 matches from a betting angle.
SHARKS v STORMERS
The Sharks were brought back down to earth in a big way last week when they were absolutely thumped 43-9 by the Bulls at Loftus. They only trailed by 3 points at the break, but a Bulls master class in the second-half saw the Sharks on the back foot and they never recovered before conceding late points for a loss that will surely rock their confidence.
They had previously beaten the Lions by 8 points in Durban and the Stormers by 3 points in Cape Town, both of those clashes high scoring.
The Stormers left it late, but managed to beat the Lions 39-37 at Ellis Park last weekend and they can consider themselves quite fortunate to have got the victory as the Lions failed to put them away.
The opening weekend they lost at home to the Sharks. They then hosted the Bulls going down 20-16 in a tight low scoring affair.
BETTING - Click here to bet
Sharks 7/10
Draw 25/1
Stormers 13/10
Handicap: Sharks (-2.5) at 9/10, Stormers (+2.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Stormers win at 13/10
I have a feeling that the loss to the Bulls hurt the Sharks hard and they may just be ripe for the taking in Durban.
LIONS v BULLS
The Lions are the only team in the competition without a victory and last week they certainly looked like bagging one before getting beaten by 2 points at home to the Stormers. In earlier action they went down 34-26 in Durban and 22-9 in Pretoria against the Bulls.
The Bulls turned in their performance of the tournament so far with a 34 point hammering of the Sharks at Loftus last weekend. They have a 100% record in the competition having beaten the Stormers away and the Lions at home.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Lions 9/4
Draw 28/1
Bulls 4/10
Handicap: Lions (+7.5) at 9/10, Bulls (-7.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Bulls (-7.5) at 9/10
If the Bulls can reproduce anything like what they showed us in the second-half against the Sharks, they should win this game comfortably against a Lions side that will entertain, but I think will fall short of beating the handicap or winning the match.
Keep an eye open for Total Points Lines in this game as although they had a low scoring encounter in Pretoria I believe the tries will flow at Ellis Park.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
