The Bulls are the only remaining South African side in the European Challenge Cup and their quarter final assignment takes them to Edinburgh on Saturday.
Edinburgh v Bulls, Saturday 12th April, Edinburgh, KO 13:30 (South African time)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant Referees: Luc Ramos (France), Kevin Bralley (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
Weather Forecast - Edinburgh
Edinburgh:
Edinburgh face South African opposition for the second week running. They came up against the Lions in a Round of 16 home clash last weekend, they were 12.5 point favourites on a main handicap line which proved to be accurate as they came out on top 24-12. The Scots led 17-0 at half time and went on to score 4 tries to 2.
In the pool stage Edinburgh recovered from losing their opening match away to Gloucester (15-10) to reel off 3 straight wins. They thrashed Aviron Bayonnaise (52-12) and beat Black Lions (36-15) in home fixtures either side of a 29-25 win away to RC Vannes.
In the URC Edinburgh are holding on to 8th position on a congested maid table log with a record of 6 wins and 8 defeats. They lost a Round 2 URC clash with the Bulls at Loftus 22-16.
Bulls:
The Bulls Ro16 clash away to Bayonne was priced up as near enough “choice” by the bookmakers but they emerged as clear cut winners, 32-22. Petersen, Ludwig, Kriel and Van Staden were responsible for the Bulls 4 tries to help ensure South Africa retains an interest in this competition.
The Bulls had failed to make the cut in the Champions Cup after they finished fifth in their pool where they lost their first 3 games, 27-5 away to Saracens, 30-21 at home to Northampton Saints and 49-10 away to Castres. In their final match a 48-7 win over Stade Francais at Loftus proved just enough to get into the Round of 16 of the Challenge Cup.
In the URC the Bulls are in third position with a record of 10 wins and 4 defeats and they are on course for a home play off.
Team News
Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Ross McCann, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ben Vellacott (cc), 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (cc), 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 D’arcy Rae, 19 Rob Carmichael, 20 Ben Muncaster, 21 Ali Price, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Mosese Tuipulotu
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Nortje (c), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima
Replacements: 16 Johann Grobbelaar, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Canan Moodie
The Betting
Edinburgh-1.5
Bulls +1.5
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I expected this handicap to be a good few points more in the home teams favour and I am going to back my instincts here.
The points line is 52.5 and if pushed to bet I would be on the unders.
Bet: 4 units Edinburgh -1.5 at 0.92/1 at Betxchange
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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