The Free State Cheetahs will be looking to ensure their European adventure continues when they take on the Scarlets on Saturday the 5th of March.
Its do or die time as the Pro14 reaches it’s knock-out phase this weekend. South African hopes of conquering Europe weigh heavily on the shoulders of the Cheetahs who will look to cause a massive upset when they take on the Scarlets this weekend.
Scarlets v Cheetahs
Saturday 5 March
Parc Y Scarlets
19:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Scarlets 1/8
Draw 30/1
Cheetahs 5/1
Scarlets
The Welsh outfit have enjoyed a magnificent season, qualifying for the European Rugby Champions Cup semi-finals and advancing to the Play-Offs of the inaugural Pro14. While they will have been bitterly disappointed to bow out to Leinster at the semi-final stage, the Pro14 does still offer them a massive shot at silverware.
The hosts for this weekend enjoyed a solid round-robin phase winning 14 of their 21 games while drawing another. They have tasted defeat the hands of the Cheetahs this term though, going down 28-21 in Bloemfontein back in December.
Cheetahs
It would be a miracle occurrence if the Cheetahs were to make the semi-final stage of the Pro14 at the first time of asking. The Cheetahs have often been maligned for their expansive brand of rugby and unwillingness to manage a game regardless of score or position on the field.
This penchant for attacking at all cost was supposed to be what hampered the Cheetahs in Europe. And while they have exactly set the world light on the road, they have claimed some mammoth scalps at home including Ulster and this weekend’s opponents.
Sadly, though, the Cheetahs will not play this one in front of their home faithful as a poor run of form late in the season scuppered those chances. However, they do head into this one, off the back of a morale-boosting derby win over a fired up Kings side.
Verdict: Scarlets 1/8
The Welsh outfit will not slip up at home to a side that has struggled to adjust to the heavier field found in the British Isles. There may not be much value in it but the Scarlets on the straight win is an absolute banker.
Written by Darry Worthington for @Hollywoodbets.net
