The Final Round of Rainbow Cup South Africa takes place this weekend and we take a look at both of the games from a betting angle.
STORMERS v LIONS
This match is a dead rubber with the Stormers currently 3rd on the log, 5 points ahead of the Lions who are bottom of the table.
The Stormers almost kept their hopes alive when they led against the Bulls only to go down by 31-27 to a late Bulls try.
The Stormers also blew a big lead in Week 1 of the campaign when at home to the Sharks and they have performed below expectations this season. With some Boks being rested this could turn into a tricky match to bet on.
The Lions have been hit by a couple of injuries, but they will be looking to sign off with a victory having narrowly lost to the Stormers 39-37 at home earlier in the season. Last week the Lions played the Sharks and although they were well backed they went down 33-21 and never really looked like winning the game.
BETTING - Click here to bet
Stormers 7/20
Draw 28/1
Lions 26/10
Handicap: Stormers (-8.5) at 9/10, Lions (+8.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Stormers (-8.5) at 9/10
There is plenty of depth in this Stormers side and I think they will have the beating of this Lions team that has tried hard, but has generally been outclassed all season.
SHARKS v BULLS
This is the pick of the weekend’s action with the Sharks needing to beat the Bulls with a bonus point and to stop the Bulls getting a bonus point to top the log and to play in the Final in Italy on the 19th of June. They beat the Lions last week, but won’t have good memories of their visit to Loftus earlier this season when they were hammered 43-9 as the Bulls turned in a dominant second-half display. The Sharks last home game was against the Stormers in Round 4 and they lost that one putting a big dent into their hopes of topping the log.
The Bulls continue to experiment with team selection while at the time of writing the Sharks have yet to name their bench due to an injury crisis within the squad. They are putting out a decent 1st XV though and their backline in particular looks impressive.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Sharks 1/1
Draw 25/1
Bulls 9/10
Handicap: Sharks (+0.5) at 9/10, Bulls (-0.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Bulls win at 9/10
I don’t see Jake White’s Bulls taking any chances and expect them to put the hammer down early and to win this game fairly comfortably.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
