The 4 South African URC teams are back in action this weekend and we take a look at each match from a betting angle.
FRIDAY
LIONS v OSPREYS
The Lions came back from 14-0 down to beat Munster 23-21 in Johannesburg last weekend and that was a week after beating Cardiff by 17 points at home. They have climbed up to 13th on the table and while they are still well off playoff contention will be looking to keep the winning run going.
They face an Ospreys side that sit 9th on the table, but they had to work hard in their last home game against Zebre winning 27-22 against the bottom of the table Italian outfit. Their only other match against South African sides was a 27-13 home loss to the Sharks.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Lions 1/5
Draw 28/1
Ospreys 9/2
Handicap: Lions (-8.5)
Suggested Bet: First Half Handicap, Lions (-5.5) at 19/20
I am expecting a confident Lions side to come out firing and to build up a healthy lead going into the break.
SATURDAY
STORMERS v ULSTER
The Stormers are up to 7th on the table and are coming off a 37 point win over Cardiff at home and that on the back of a 48 point hammering of Zebre also at home. The Stormers have lost both their matches against Irish opposition to date, but this will be the first time they are meeting an Irish team at home.
Ulster currently sit 2nd on the table with 10 wins and 3 losses in their 13 starts. Their last match was an 18-13 home win over Leinster. Against South African opposition they have only had 1 match and that was a 26-10 home win over the Lions.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Stormers 8/15
Draw 22/1
Ulster 37/20
Handicap: Stormers (-4.5)
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Stormers by 1-7 points inclusive at 27/10
I think the Stormers run of comfortable wins will come to an end here and I think they are going to battle hard for this one and may just edge it.
SHARKS v EDINBURGH
This match pits the 6th placed Sharks against 5th placed Edinburgh who sit 3 points above them on the table, but having played a game more. The Sharks beat Zebre 38-6 last week for a 32 point win, but having started the match 40 point favourites it was a slightly disappointing performance. The week before they had beaten the Scarlets by 17 points a result that was right on the handicap and the Sharks manager will be concerned by the slow starts made in both those games.
Edinburgh have been a bit inconsistent of late losing 30-17 to Glasgow having handsomely beaten Connacht 56-8 prior to that. Edinburgh’s previous experience against South African sides was 20-20 home draw with the Stormers and a 17 win over the Bulls also at home.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Sharks 1/8
Draw 35/1
Edinburgh 13/2
Handicap: Sharks (-13.5)
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Edinburgh (+13.5) at 19/20
Edinburgh will be a step up from the sides that the Sharks have played in recent weeks and I am a touch surprised to see this handicap in double figures.
BLUE BULLS v DRAGONS
The Bulls are currently 8th on the log with 6 wins and 6 losses in their 12 games. Last week they were far too strong for the Scarlets winning by 45 points in Pretoria and a week before that they nearly let a big lead slip before beating Munster 29-24. Their only other match against Welsh opposition was a 10 point win in Cardiff earlier this season.
The Dragons have only won 1 of their 10 matches drawing 1 and losing 8 and sit 2nd from bottom on the table. Their last match was a 64-3 beating at the hands of Munster away and their previous game against South African opposition saw them go down at home to the Stormers.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Blue Bulls 1/100
Draw 100/1
Dragons 20/1
Handicap: Blue Bulls (-27.5)
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Blue Bulls (-27.5) at 9/10
The handicap is big, but the Dragons are a poor side and a confident Blue Bulls side should have few problems putting them away.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
