South Africa's former Super Rugby teams will compete in a local Rainbow Cup SA tournament after plans to move north into Europe were put on hold due to covid.
Stormers v Sharks
Saturday 1 May
Cape Town Stadium
14:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Stormers 6/10
Draw 25/1
Sharks 27/20
Handicap
Stormers (-3.5) 9/10
Sharks (+3.5) 9/10
The tournament gets underway on the west coast where the Stormers will welcome the Sharks to their new home; the Cape Town Stadium.
Both sides were pretty competitive during the recently-concluded Currie Cup with the Stormers finishing second on the log during the regular season while the Sharks finished third. This meant the two teams met in the semi-final with the Sharks springing a surprise as they claimed the coastal bragging rights in the last game hosted at Newlands, running out 19-9 victors.
There’s been a bit of controversy between the two sides during the off-season with the Sharks snatching a deal with sporting investors Roc Nation from the Stormers. This deal paved the way for the Siya Kolisi – one of Roc Nation’s big-name clients – to move to the Sharks.
Verdict: Sharks (+3.5) 9/10
I reckon we’re in for an extremely tight affair here which is why I’m backing the visitors on the plus handicap.
Bulls v Lions
Saturday 1 May
Loftus Versfeld
19:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Bulls 3/10
Draw 25/1
Lions 5/2
Handicap
Bulls (-8.5) 9/10
Lions (+8.5) 9/10
We head from a coastal derby to a trans-Jukskei derby as a young Lions side cross the great river to tackle the all-conquering Bulls in Pretoria.
The hosts have been in sensational form under the tutelage of Jake White since rugby restarted in South African winning both Super Rugby Unlocked and the Currie Cup. They have only suffered three defeats in the 14 games they have played since rugby’s return and it would be no surprise if they absolutely bossed this tournament too.
While the Bulls are teeming with experienced talent, the Lions are in the middle of a massive rebuild. Their young side has impressed in fits and starts and made up for their disappointing Super Rugby Unlocked tournament with a better showing in the Currie Cup.
The Lions don’t have the best recent record against the Bulls, losing all four of their last fixtures against their northern neighbours.
Verdict: Bulls (-8.5) 9/10
While the majority of their recent fixtures have been tightly-contested affairs, I think the Bulls will run away with this one, As such, I’m all over the hosts on the minus handicap
