We take a look at the 4 United Rugby Championship matches involving South African sides and suggest a bet in each of them.

 

 

 

FRIDAY

BLUE BULLS v SCARLETS

The Bulls raced into an early lead at home to Munster last week, but they only scored 3 points in the second-half and were holding on to win 29-24. That result sees them up to 10^th on the table, but still behind the Stormers and Sharks in the South African Shield.

Scarlets competed well against the Sharks last week, but fell away in the second-half with the Sharks running out 17 point winners which was pretty much where the bookmakers had set their handicap. They sit 5 points and 2 positions below the Bulls on the table with 1 game in hand.

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Blue Bulls 1/8

Draw 35/1

Scarlets 6/1

Handicap: Bulls (-13.5)

Suggested Bet: Handicap, Bulls (-13.5) at 10/11

The Bulls would have been disappointed to have let Munster back in last week, but I don’t think the Scarlets are nearly as strong as the Irish outfit and the Bulls can win this one comfortably.

SATURDAY

LIONS v MUNSTER

The Lions finally got a victory last weekend against Cardiff, breaking a lengthy losing run, but I did feel the 17 point margin flattered them a bit.

They face a Munster side still sitting 3^rd on the log and confident in the knowledge that they can handle altitude after last week’s comeback against the Bulls.

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Lions 9/10

Draw 22/1

Munster 21/20

Handicap: Lions (-0.5)

Suggested Bet: First-Half Winning Margin, Lions by 1-7 points inclusive at 85/40

I think the Lions can make a quick start to this game, but if pushed for an Outright Bet I would take Munster to win it. For this bet to arrive the Lions need to be leading by no more than 1 score at the break.

Another bet for those who prefer longer prices, which is based on a similar strategy, would be Lions to lead at half-time and Munster to win the match at 13/2.

SHARKS v ZEBRE

The Sharks are currently 6^th on the log and the top South African team after their 17 point victory over the Scarlets last week. They were not very convincing in the first-half, but managed to run out comfortable winners in the end.

They now face a Zebre side which is still without a victory in 10 matches this season and Zebre were badly mauled 55-7 by the Stormers in Stellenbosch last week.

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Sharks 1/100

Draw 40/1

Zebre 22/1

Handicap: Sharks (-40.5) 

Suggested Bet: Handicap, the Sharks (-40.5) at 19/20

This is a massive cap so I will keep the stake small, but I just have a feeling the Sharks side are going to turn in an improved showing and if they can get ahead early this Zebre team may well just fall away.

SUNDAY

STORMERS v CARDIFF RUGBY

Stormers are currently 8^th on the log, 2 positions and 2 points behind the Sharks. Cardiff sit 13^th, but they do have games in hand over most of the sides above them.

Last week the Stormers hammered Zebre by 48 points at home and Cardiff were perhaps a tad unfortunate to go down by 17 points to the Lions having looked like being right in the game before a card effectively ended their challenge.

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Stormers 1/11

Draw 40/1

Cardiff Rugby 8/1 

Handicap: Stormers (-15.5) 

Suggested Bet: Handicap, Stormers (-15.5) at 9/10

The Stormers were impressive last week against a poor Zebre side, but I am also not impressed by this Cardiff team and I think that the home side can put them to bed here.

 

Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change