Rugby fans will have four Super Rugby fixtures to sink their teeth into on Saturday the 21st of April.
It’s a bit of a lean Saturday Super Rugby fixture list this weekend with only four games set to go down. While most of the games look cut and dry, the South African derby between the Sharks and Stormers should prove to be a rather intriguing affair.
All prices and handicaps are forecasted and will be updated on Wednesday 18 April 13:00.
Crusaders v Sunwolves
AMI Stadium
09:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Crusaders 1/100
Draw 66/1
Sunwolves 50/1
Handicap
Crusaders – 37 (10/11)
Sunwolves +37 (10/11)
We kick off the proceedings with a ‘David v Goliath’ clash between the reigning champions and a Sunwolves side that is yet to register a win this season. The hosts enjoyed a bye week last time out and will come into this one extremely refreshed. The Sunwolves on the other hand, head into this one off the back of a hard-fought 10-24 defeat to the Blues.
These sides met for the first time last year with the Crusaders running out 50-3 victors in Christchurch. We could well see a similar scoreline as the Sunwolves may well be feeling the effects of their war of attrition with the Blues last week.
Verdict: Crusaders (-37) 10/11
I can’t see the Sunwolves staying within this line against what will be a rejuvenated Crusaders outfit.
Reds v Chiefs
Suncorp Stadium
11:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Reds 9/2
Draw 35/1
Chiefs 1/7
Handicap
Reds +14 (10/11)
Chiefs -14 (10/11)
The Reds face an absolute mountain this weekend with a Chiefs side that will be looking to bounce back from a 12-point defeat to the Hurricanes. The hosts have gone off the boil in recent weeks and are currently on a three-match losing streak with their most recent loss coming against the Waratahs to whom they went down 37-16 to last Saturday.
Despite going down to the ‘Canes last week, the Chiefs actually head into this one in pretty decent form having won five of their opening seven games. They are yet to taste defeat at the hands of overseas opposition this season as well.
Verdict: Chiefs (-14) 9/10
The Reds may be at home for this one but I just can’t see them putting up an 80-minute fight against a Chiefs side who will test their defence at every chance. I feel a late blitz of tries from the Chiefs will see them past the handicap in Queensland.
Bulls v Rebels
Loftus Versfeld
15:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Bulls 1/3
Draw 25/1
Rebels 9/4
Handicap
Bulls -8 (10/11)
Rebels +8 (10/11)
The penultimate fixture of Saturday’s brief fixture list sees the Bulls host the Rebels at Loftus Versfeld. These two sides experienced vastly contrasting fortunes during Round 9, with the Bulls hammering the much-fancied Sharks 10-40 in Durban and the Rebels going down to underdogs, the Jaguares 22-25 in Melbourne.
The hosts head into this one off the back of two impressive performances against local rivals – beating the Sharks (40 – 10) last week and the Stormers 33-23 a fortnight before that. The Rebels, on the other hand, head into this one off the back of three successive defeats.
Verdict: Bulls (-8) 10/11
I feel the Bulls are about to go on a mightily impressive run. The Rebels should be absolute cannon fodder for John Mitchell’s in-form side.
Sharks v Stormers
Jonsson King’s Park
17:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Sharks 8/11
Draw 22/1
Stormers 11/10
Handicap
Sharks -5 (10/11)
Stormers +5 (10/11)
The final fixture of the day see’s a Sharks side that is probably still in shock from what transpired last Saturday in Durban, take on a Stormers side that head to the East Coast of South Africa off the back off of a much-needed bye week.
The hosts have endured a miserable two weeks as they followed up their late capitulation to the Hurricanes with a lacklustre display against the Bulls. The Stormers also caught a bit of a hiding from local opposition, last time out, with the Lions beating them 52-31, just under a fortnight ago.
Verdict: Stormers +5 (10/11)
The Sharks should take this one but it will be by a very narrow margin as Rob du Preez Senior will look to go back to basics.
Written by Darry Worthington for @Hollywoodbets.net
