The final round of URC matchups for 2023 is another thrilling derby fest, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ trip to the West Coast of particular interest to the South African rugby public.
Saturday 30 December
Benetton 1/12 | Draw 35/1 | Zebre 13/2 (15:30)
Handicap
Benetton (-18.5) 17/20 | Zebre (+18.5) 17/20
Benetton’s 31-24 URC win at the Stadio Lanfranchi a week ago suggests a fifth consecutive win over their neighbours here is theirs for the taking. The hosts are having a scintillating season, lying third and won’t want to drop off come Saturday.
The nature of Zebre’s round-eight defeat may spur them on in Treviso, but they won’t be good enough to completely knock over Marco Bortolami’s men.
Verdict: Zebre (+18.5) 17/20
Zebre shouldn’t fall by too much.
Edinburgh 61/100 | Draw 22/1 | Glasgow 14/10 (17:00)
Handicap
Edinburgh (-3.5) 17/20 | Glasgow (+3.5) 17/20
Glasgow’s 12-point win at the Scotstoun last week puts them in pole position to retain the 1872 Cup in the Scottish capital this weekend. Franco Smith’s men are second and will take massive confidence out of defending their regional Scottish title on Saturday.
Under Sean Everitt, Edinburgh continue to make big strides this season and head into this home clash as favourites. However, they may find the Warriors’ form too much for them to handle.
Verdict: Glasgow 14/10
Although Edinburgh look far batter this term than in recent seasons, I still see the Warriors winning here.
Stormers 32/100 | Draw 22/1 | Hollywoodbets Sharks 51/20 (19:00)
Handicap
Stormers (-7.5) 17/20 | Sharks (+7.5) 17/20
The Stormers’ 26-20 defeat of the Bulls may just be the catalyst they need after what has been a slow and ponderous season for them so far. They sit eighth after four wins and four losses but will feel that another win over the Sharks in the Mother City is well within their grasp.
Things don’t get any easier for John Plumtree’s strugglers, but they will feel refreshed after not having played a week ago. They should be competitive in the Cape but haven’t proven yet this season that they have the ability to challenge the Stormers at home.
Verdict: Sharks (+7.5) 17/20
The Sharks to cop a narrow defeat.
Monday 1 January
Connacht 66/100 | Draw 22/1 | Munster 13/10 (17:00)
Handicap
Connacht (-2.5) 17/20 | Munster (+2.5) 17/20
Connacht’s last win came in mid-November in Durban, having sustained a string of five consecutive losses in all competitions since then. Facing the defending champions, who come off two losses themselves in Galway this week, won’t be easy.
Munster’s recent defeat to Leinster at Thomond Park can either make or break them at this stage of the campaign and Monday’s clash will provide another indication of just how much mettle this group has. They do, however, have a pretty horrific injury list at the moment.
Verdict: Munster 13/10
Get on the injury-hit away side to add to Connacht’s woes.
Ospreys 54/100 | Draw 20/1 | Cardiff 16/10 (17:00)
Handicap
Ospreys (-5.5) 9/10 | Cardiff (+5.5) 9/10
Ospreys claimed a superb 25-11 win at Scarlets on Boxing Day and will be full of beans ahead of this one with the men from the capital. Toby Booth’s charges lie ninth but remain the best-placed of the Welsh clubs and should add to their advantage here.
Cardiff were dominant in their 55-21 dismantling of Dragons at the Arms Park but will be up against a far stiffer challenge on Monday.
Verdict: Ospreys (-5.5) 9/10
The home side to come good.
Dragons 12/10 | Draw 22/1 | Scarlets 68/100 (19:15)
Handicap
Dragons (+2.5) 17/20 | Scarlets (-2.5) 17/20
16th-placed Dragons welcome 14th-placed Scarlets to Rodney Parade with neither side exactly on top form. A bonus point win for the hosts would put the clubs level on 11- points on the standings, something within the reach of the Newport boys.
Verdict: Dragons 12/10
Dragons to win at home in what could be a bit of a tough watch.
Leinster 1/14 | Draw 28/1 | Ulster 15/2 (19:15)
Handicap
Leinster (-18.5) 17/20 | Ulster (+18.5) 17/20
One of the games of the weekend in Dublin, Leinster will want to keep pace at the summit of the standings with another victory over their northern rivals having won all nine of their competitive matches this season since their opening URC loss in Glasgow.
Ulster come off the back of a one-point defeat of Connacht in Belfast but will need to gear up for what is always a mammoth challenge against Leo Cullen’s side.
Verdict: Ulster (+18.5) 17/20
It’s always tough to bet against Leinster at home.
