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Pro14: South African Matches Preview Round 8

Rugby Players enter a scrum

Shaun Goosen takes a look at the two South African teams playing in the Pro 14 this weekend. The Kings tackle Leinster at the Nelson Mandela Bay and the Cheetahs host Munster in Bloemfontein, both matches kicking off on Sunday the 4th of November. 


Isuzu Southern Kings v Leinster
SA time: 14h45
Venue: Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth
Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU)
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse and Paul Mente
TMO: Johan Greeff


To Win (80 mins)
Kings  36/10
Draw 22/1
Leinster 1/5

Handicap
Kings (+12) 9/10
Leinster (-12) 9/10


*forecast odds

The Southern Kings will need to put in a massive shift if they are to upset a high-flying Leinster outfit in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Deon Davids’ men were unlucky not to see off the Scarlets on the weekend following a promising start. After leading 17-3 at one stage, they did eventually succumb to a more clinical Welsh side who bested them 41-34 in the end.

Leinster, on the other hand, come off a convincing 31-3 away win at Benetton that meant they remained at the summit of Conference B after six wins from seven outings.

It will be interesting to see which players coach Leo Cullen names to tour South Africa. With the Autumn internationals kicking off this weekend (Ireland begin their season with a home Test against Italy), it may be an opportunity to blood some youngsters and give certain second-stringers a chance at getting some game time.

This may offer the Kings a shot at getting one over the defending champions come Sunday. Depending on just how well the Port Elizabethans deal with the powerful Leinster set pieces and phase play, they could just come out with a shock win.

Alternatively, the depth in quality the Irish side can call upon is ridiculous and they will be confident of claiming maximum points.

Verdict: Leinster (-12) 9/10  *forecast odds
I’m expecting Leinster, arguably the most well-drilled team in the competition, to see off the Kings with another commanding win.

____________________________________________

Toyota Cheetahs v Munster
SA time: 16h45
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni and Ruhan Meiring
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

To Win (80 mins)
Cheetahs  13/10
Draw 22/1
Munster 1/5

Handicap
Cheetahs (+6) 9/10
Munster (-6) 9/10

*forecast odds

Coming off the back of their first win all season, the Toyota Cheetahs will be aiming to make it two on the bounce with a win over a powerful Munster side in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Franco Smith’s men finally got over the line following a convincing 21-7 victory over the Cardiff Blues on the weekend. That result will serve as a much-needed confidence booster considering just how poorly they have fared at times this season.

The mighty Munster, under the tutelage of former Springbok forwards coach Johan van Graan, recorded an injury time win over the Glasgow Warriors courtesy of a late, late Rory Scannell penalty to take Saturday’s game 25-24.

That victory ensured the Red Army hang onto third place in Conference A, a win this weekend over the Cheetahs will further their playoff ambitions as the tournament trudges on.

With their Irish internationals away on Test duty, Munster will be vulnerable to a Cheetahs attack come Sunday. They don’t quite have the depth of their brothers Leinster and so this presents the Free Staters with a real opportunity to claim what would be a famous win.

Verdict: Cheetahs (+6) 9/10 *forecast odds
Without their star men, I’m banking on the Cheetahs to come away with a rare victory over the men from Limerick as they continue to get their campaign back on track.

Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets

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