Darry Worthington previews all three of the South African fixtures as well as Sunday's heavyweight clash between Toulouse and Sale, below.
Friday 16 December
Bordeaux-Begles 17/20 | Sharks 1/1
The Sharks will get their first taste of European rugby in a hostile environment when they take on Top 14 outfit the Bordeaux Begles in front of what will be a partisan crowd at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.
Durban’s finest had a solid start to their Heineken Cup campaign as they beat Harlequins 39-31. The win wasn’t as comfortable as it looked as a late surge from ‘Quins, spearheaded by Sharks old boy Andre Esterhuizen, saw them come storming back into the fixture. A late try from Boeta Chamberlain would secure a bonus point win for the KZN-based side.
Bordeaux got their campaign off to a far less prolific start as they went down 22-17 to Gloucester. It was heartbreaking stuff for the French outfit who had taken a 17-5 lead into the half-time break only to capitulate.
While an away game will be a real test for the KZN side, I’m backing them to pass it.
Bongi Mbonambi was on full BEAST MODE 😤#FearTheFin pic.twitter.com/BNcE5wTB31
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) December 14, 2022
Saturday 17 December
Exeter 1/11 | Draw 33/1 | Bulls 13/2
Exeter (-15.5) 17/20 | Bulls (+15.5) 17/20 v Exeter
The Bulls are the next South African side in action with Jake White’s men taking on the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.
The hosts enjoyed a solid start to their European campaign as they beat Castres 12-27 out in France. Key to their impressive victory was 2020 European player of the year Sam Simmonds who added some life to a turgid first half with a try. Exeter looked far better in the second half and managed to grab three more tries to claim a bonus point win.
Jake White once again proved the doubters wrong as his somewhat understrength Bulls side marked their European debut with a 42-26 win. Eyebrows were raised when the former Springbok mentor elected to leave some of his big guns out for the fixture, and while the win was a narrow one his decision still proved to be a masterstroke.
Coming into this one, we’re likely to see a stronger Bulls outfit take to Sandy Park. They will be well-tested against this Chiefs outfit who possess a very handy forward pack.
I’m expecting a very tight game here with the duo pretty evenly matched. My money is on the Bulls keeping it within the handicap and claiming a losing bonus point in the process.
Got this try from ROCKETMAN on Loop 🔁 #HeinekenChampionsCup#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/X8BqzzlklX
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) December 15, 2022
Stormers 1/11 | Draw 28/1 | Lodnon Irish 6/1
Stormers (-15.5) 17/20 | London Irish (+15.5) 17/20
The Stormers will be looking to bounce back from their opening-round defeat to Clermont when they take on Gallagher Premiership side, London Irish.
This weekend’s hosts put in a plucky display in France last time out and were 6-14 to the good at the half-time break. They struggled to hold onto the ball during the second stanza, however, with Clermont seeing the majority of the possession and making it count as the French outfit scored two tries and two penalties to take the game 24-14.
Like their opponents for Saturday, London Irish also come off the back of a defeat having gone down 27-32 to Montpellier. Credit must go to London Irish for managing to pick up two bonus points from this one despite picking up an early red card. They showed just how dangerous they are with ball-in-hand but also how porous they are on defence.
This should be an extremely entertaining fixture with both sides not afraid to throw the ball around. However, I can see the Stormers running away with it in the second stanza.
🦸 Is there anything this guy @Deonf can't do? #ASMvSTO #iamastormer #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/mNssWefgNo
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) December 10, 2022
Sunday 18 December
Toulouse 2/15 | Draw 28/1 | Sale 5/1
Toulouse (-12.5) 17/20 | Sale Sharks (+12.5) 17/20
The last game we’ll take a look at is the clash between Top 14 heavyweights Toulouse and a very handy Sale Sharks outfit, who have been tearing it up in England’s top tier this term.
Toulouse enjoyed a solid start to their European campaign beating Munster 13-18 away from home. It’s always a difficult task taking on the Irish provinces in Ireland but Toulouse put in a mature and clinical display to run out victors in atrocious conditions.
Sale were the pick of the teams in the opening round as they hammered Ulster 39-0 at the AJ Bell Stadium. The Sharks turned on the style as they ran in four tries to secure a famous bonus-point win.
This should be an absolute belter of a game. Both sides are in red hot form and it will surely go down to the wire. As such, I think the away team on the plus is the way to go for this one.
If you can't find an open teammate, why not try a 1-2 with a defender? 😆#HeinekenChampionsCup | @SaleSharksRugby pic.twitter.com/hp39sgyftr
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 11, 2022
Quick-fire Tips
Leinster Win v Gloucester
Castres 56/10 v Edinburgh
Saracens 46/100 v Lyon
Leicester 26/100 v Clermont
La Rochelle 5/10 v Ulster
Montpellier (-16.5) 17/20 v Ospreys
Northampton 14/10 v Munster
Harlequins 8/10 v Racing
