We kick an action-packed week of rugby off with Round 4 of the 2019 Varsity Cup, which will see four games go down on Monday the 25th of February.
This Monday will see the 2019 Varsity Cup season reach the midway point of the round-robin phase. Maties head into the Round at the summit of the log. The Stellenbosch-based outfit has a rather easy assignment on their horizon with an away date against a hit-and-miss CUT side in store this Monday.
While Stellies will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record, the tournament’s second-placed side, Tuks, will be looking to keep the pressure on the log-leaders by getting one over a talented Wits side in the pick of this Monday’s game.
Ikeys v UJ
UCT Rugby Fields
16:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Ikeys 5/10
Draw 20/1
UJ 31/20
Handicap
Ikeys (-5.5) 17/20
UJ (+5.5) 17/20
We kick the Round 4 action off with a clash between sixth-placed Ikeys and eighth-placed UJ. The hosts have one won and lost one in the two games they have played thus far, while UJ have lost all three of their games and only sit two points off last-placed UWC.
In terms of Round 3 results, Ikeys enjoyed the round off as they had a bye week while UJ went down 27-26 to CUT in a dramatic match.
When these two sides squared off last year, it was UJ who ran out 18-17 victors on their own patch.
Verdict: Ikeys (-5.5) 17/20
This UJ side looks like they are going to struggle on the road this term. As such, I’m putting my money on the hosts on the straight win.
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CUT v Maties
CUT Rugby Fields
18:30
To Win (80 Mins)
CUT 16/1
Draw 40/1
Maties N/A
Handicap
CUT (+29.5) 17/20
Maties (-29.5) 17/20
Next up is a bit f a ‘David versus Goliath’ affair with the log-leading Maties taking on seventh-placed CUT.
The visitors continued their perfect start to their title defence last week as they edged a vastly improved Tuks side 24-26 out in Johannesburg. It was the first time that Maties failed to record a try-scoring bonus point this season, which goes to show just how dominant a force they have been.
While Maties were racking up their third win of the campaign, CUT were registering their first as they beat UJ 27-26 in their Round 3 clash.
Verdict: Maties (-29.5) 17/20
The lads from Stellenbosch will be looking to take the full five-point haul here so as to put even more distance between themselves and the chasing pack. I can see them doing just this by registering a win in excess of 18 points.
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Tuks v Wits
Tuks Rugby Stadium
18:30
To Win (80 Min)
Tuks 2/9
Draw 28/1
Wits 3/1
Handicap
Tuks (-12.5)
Wits (+12.5)
The pick of the action is next up with second-placed Tuks taking on fifth-placed Wits. Both teams head into this one off the back of narrow home losses with the hosts going down 24-26 to Maties and Wits losing 26-33 to Shimlas.
Both teams will be kicking themselves after last week’s defeat as they had a number of chances to win their respective games. Wits, in particularly, will feel aggrieved as they butchered a host of try-scoring opportunities.
Verdict: Wits (+12.5) 17/20
When these two sides met last season it was Wits who ran out 25-19 victors. While I can see this far improved Tuks side getting revenge by registering a win, I doubt it will be by a big margin. As such, I’m on the Wits plus line.
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Shimlas v NWU
Shimla Park
19:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Shimlas 27/20
Draw 22/1
NWU 6/10
Handicap
Shimlas (+4.5) 17/20
NWU (-4.5) 17/20
We close out the round with an interesting tie between two undefeated sides in the form of Shimlas and NWU. The hosts have claimed bonus point wins over UWC (25-47) and Wits (26-33) while the visitors have beaten UJ (8-23) and UWC (37-21).
When the two sides met last season, Pukke ran riot as they registered a 56-21 victory over Shimlas. The hosts are a much better unit this season, however, so those expecting a big victory for Pukke may well be in for a rude surprise.
Verdict: Shimlas (+4.5) 17/20
I quite fancy the hosts here. They really have impressed me this term and I can see their first game on home soil ending in their third win of the season.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
