South Africa’s URC teams get their campaigns underway this weekend following the conclusion of the Currie Cup, with the Gauteng franchises at home and the coastal outfits on tour overseas.
Friday 27 September
1/9 Glasgow Warriors | Draw 28/1 | Benetton 56/10
Handicap
Glasgow (-13.5) 9/10 | Benetton (+13.5) 9/10
Warriors will be gutted at having let their Belfast matchup with Ulster slip in the 84-minute last week and will target a first win against Benetton on Friday. Playing their first game in front of their home support since they won last season’s title, Franco Smith’s men will be extra motivated to produce a performance more befitting of their quality.
Benetton made 72 tackles in last week’s draw with Scarlets at the Stadio Comunale, at a success rate of just 79% – a pretty appalling return for any side at this level, let alone one that finished seventh last season. They’ll be cut to ribbons at the home of the champions this week if they put out a similar showing and better improve fast.
Verdict: Glasgow on the minus
Warriors to get up and running at the Scotstoun on Friday.
N/A Leinster | Draw 46/1| Dragons 14/1
Handicap
Leinster (-27.5) 9/10 | Dragons (+27.5) 9/10
A Leinster side missing several key names was made to work exceptionally hard at the DAM Health for their eventual 33-31 win over Edinburgh, a sign perhaps of how competitive things will be this season.
With pressure on Leo Cullen arguably greater than ever to bag some silverware, there will be no complacency at home against weaker clubs like Dragons.
The Newport club did superbly well to down Ospreys at Rodney Parade in round one for a rare victory, with Dai Flanagan’s men out to improve on the three they notched up in the entirety last season. Unfortunately for them, a trip to the Aviva is hardly the follow-up game they needed.
Verdict: Leinster on the minus
The hosts to rack up a big score in the Irish capital.
Saturday 28 September
7/20 Lions | Draw 20/1 | Ulster 24/10
Handicap
Lions (-6.5) 9/10 | Ulster (+6.5) 9/10
The Lions will have no time to recover from their heart-breaking Currie Cup final defeat to the Hollywoodbets Sharks last week, with a dangerous Ulster lineup arriving in Jozi on Saturday. With the ever-ambitious Cash van Rooyen assuming full responsibility of the side once more though, we should see a Lions outfit starting like a house on fire.
Ulster showed real grit in grinding out a final play win over Glasgow in round one to start off strongly this season. Playing on the highveld is a different challenge altogether though and, facing a Lions outfit looking to put the demons of last week behind them as fast as possible, they’ll be met with fierce resistance at Emirates Airline Park.
Verdict: Ulster on the plus
Ulster to fall to a narrow defeat in round two.
1/4 Bulls | Draw 33/1 | Edinburgh 32/10
Handicap
Bulls (-9.5) 9/10 | Edinburgh (+9.5) 9/10
The Bulls start all over again following their second Grand Final defeat in three seasons. Knowing the mentality of Jake White and his players, they’ll be coming out all guns blazing to win their first two home games ahead of a run of five consecutive away games in all competitions. It’s difficult to envisage them starting slowly at Loftus here.
Edinburgh were so good in coming within two points of denying Leinster a week ago, and Sean Everitt’s charges should be challenging for a spot in the top eight based on that performance. The former Bulls assistant will have plenty of inside intel on what to expect at Loftus, but even that shouldn’t be enough to help his side topple the Herd at altitude.
Verdict: Bulls on the minus
6/1 Zebre | Draw 33/1 | Munster 1/10
Handicap
Zebre (+14.5) 9/10 | Munster (-14.5) 9/10
Zebre were excellent in an eventual bonus-point defeat at Cardiff, and last season’s wooden spoonists will be hoping to improve on that showing by bagging some elusive wins against the minnow teams going forward. The might of Munster should be too much for them though.
Last season’s table-toppers played out a thriller with Connacht at Thomond Park, getting over the line in a 35-33 result in the end. That challenging first hit out should serve them well this season and will ensure they are too dialled in to slip on this potential Zebre banana peel.
Verdict: Munster on the minus
Munster to ease to a comfortable victory at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
77/100 Scarlets | Draw 24/1 | Cardiff 11/10
Handicap
Scarlets (-2.5) 9/10 | Cardiff (+2.5) 9/10
Scarlets made 187 tackles at a success rate of 89% in their draw at Benetton in a fantastic effort which will provide them with big confidence ahead of their derby clash with the men from the Welsh capital. With each of the Welsh clubs in a battle to remain relevant in the fight for a top-eight place, these games are all-important.
Cardiff got the job done against Zebre in the first round but would ideally have wanted a bigger winning margin than the five they got in that 22-17 result. They’ll also feel some added motivation to get over the line against a side that beat them twice last season.
Verdict: Scarlets
Scarlets to take a narrow win in the derby.
32/100 Connacht | Draw 20/1 | Hollywoodbets Sharks 26/10
Handicap
Connacht (-6.5) 9/10 | Sharks (+6.5) 9/10
Connacht showed in their slender defeat at Munster just how tough they will be to beat again this season, and with the Galway support behind them this weekend, they should give the Sharks a proper test first up.
While there aren’t any wet weather conditions predicted, it will still take a clever and accurate tactical performance to topple them at home.
There will be a buzz around the Durbanites this week after recently claiming the Currie Cup for the first time since 2018.
This trip to western Ireland though will provide a truer indication of just how far along John Plumtree is with his squad, with a good performance likely to galvanise the side early on their tour.
Verdict: Sharks to win
Get on the visitors to ride their trophy-winning momentum to a narrow victory.
5/4 Ospreys | Draw 23/1 | Stormers 68/100
Handicap
Ospreys (+2.5) 9/10 | Saracens (-2.5) 9/10
Ospreys were beaten 21-23 by Dragons at Rodney Parade and will need to rebound fast if they are to hold off the Capetonians here. If they are to again challenge for a quarterfinal berth then too many consecutive defeats are a big no-no.
Even without some senior statesmen, the Stormers are certainly capable of getting their tour off on a winning note in Swansea. With dry conditions expected, John Dobson’s men will be aiming to avenge their six-point Cape Town defeat to Ospreys last season and should just about get the job done.
Verdict: Stormers to win
The tourists get a valuable win first up.
