The Hollywoodbets Sharks entertain Edinburgh in Durban while the second-placed Bulls tackle leaders Leinster in Dublin in the 13th round of the URC. Shaun Goosen previews round 13.
Friday 29 March
Leinster 2/13| Draw 28/1 | Bulls 46/10 (21:35)
Handicap
Leinster (-12.5) 17/20 | Bulls (+12.5) 17/20
First against second in Dublin, with Leinster just four points better off the Bulls heading into this one. Jake White couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity for his side to claw back the league leaders and a victory on Friday could be as big a statement win as their famous 2021 semi-final triumph.
Leinster are always difficult to bet against in this tournament, particularly at home, but they could find themselves vulnerable depending on how many Six Nations internationals return. It’ll be a close call in the Irish capital but the hosts should ultimately come up trumps – they’re simply the kings of round-robin rugby.
Verdict: Bulls (+12.5) 17/20
Leinster should edge it but the Bulls are likely to remain within a pretty big handicap.
Dragons 44/100 | Draw 22/1 | Zebre 39/20 (21:35)
Handicap
Dragons (-6.5) 17/20 | Zebre (+6.5) 17/20
The battle of the basement dwellers. Perennial strugglers Dragons (16th) and Zebre (15th) clash at Rodney Parade in a game that could well decide which team earns the wooden spoon come season’s end. The hosts come off the back of a 21-point defeat to the Bulls while Zebre fell by a margin of 24 to Leinster last week.
As difficult as it is to separate such evenly-matched outfits, the home team should get the benefit of the doubt here.
Verdict: Zebre (+6.5) 17/20
We could well be in for another close-fought affair. I’m leaning toward Zebre staying within the cap.
Saturday 30 March
Benetton 27/100 | Draw 25/1 | Connacht 3/1 (15:00)
Handicap
Benetton (-8.5) 17/20 | Connacht (+8.5) 17/20
Two teams that will be out to bounce back from disappointing defeats last week. 10th-placed Benetton’s loss at Parc y Scarlets was a hammer blow for a side that was purring along so nicely just a few short months ago. Their home support will lift them here, but it will be tight and Connacht are always tricky customers.
The Westerners are ninth and remain in contention for the playoffs but, much like their opposition this week, can’t afford to lose too much steam in the run-in to the knockouts. That said, they should have the guile required to grind out a win on Saturday.
Verdict: Connacht (+8.5) 17/20
The hosts should have the guile to overcome Connacht at home, albeit by a fine margin.
Hollywoodbets Sharks 1/3 | Draw 22/1 | Edinburgh 5/2 (15:00)
Handicap
Sharks (-7.5) 17/20 | Edinburgh (+7.5) 17/20
The Sharks’ win over Ulster may be just what the squad needs as they look to finish their campaign on a high. The URC playoffs are out of reach, but building momentum is imperative ahead of their Challenge Cup knockout match against Zebre next weekend. They should have the necessary grunt up front to condemn former coach Sean Everitt’s charges to their second straight defeat on tour.
Edinburgh (sixth) are well-placed to feature in the post-season, but they aren’t the first and won’t be the last European team to complete a tour of South Africa winless.
Verdict: Sharks (-7.5) 17/20
The Durban outfit appear to have turned the corner and will want to keep their foot on the gas ahead of the Challenge Cup play-offs.
Ospreys 81/100 | Draw 21/1 | Lions 21/20 (17:05)
Ospreys went down to Munster at the Swansea.com Stadium last week and now sit 11th with six wins and six losses to their name. They’ll take confidence from their 38-28 Challenge Cup win over the Lions in Joburg in January, but the Pride will be harder to stop this weekend.
The Lions are one of the best young squads in the competition and dispatched of a solid Connacht outfit 38-14 in Galway. They certainly won’t back down from another shot at improving on their eighth-place ranking here.
Verdict: Lions 21/20
After last week’s showing out in Galway, it’d take a punter to bet against the Joburg outfit.
Stormers 17/100 | Draw 28/1 | Ulster 44/10 (19:15)
Handicap
Stormers (-12.5) 17/20 | Ulster (+12.5) 17/20
The Stormers may have been a tad rusty in their comprehensive 43-21 win over Edinburgh last week, but they should be sharper ahead of the visit of the Northern Irishmen. The back-to-back finalists are fifth with plenty still to play for this season as they look to force themselves as high up the ladder as possible.
Ulster copped a defeat in Durban after toiling long and hard in the humidity. While the weather conditions may be more forgiving this weekend, they could run out of gas against the electric Stormers.
Verdict: Stormers (-12.5) 17/20
If the Stormers can make the natural improvement on last week’s showing, they’ll likely blow Ulster away.
Scarlets 51/20 | Draw 22/1 | Glasgow 32/100 (21:35)
Handicap
Scarlets (+7.5) 17/20 | Glasgow (-7.5) 17/20
Scarlets got the better of Benetton last week to end a rotten run of eight consecutive losses in all competitions which will doubtless boost the spirit in the camp ahead of this visit by the Glaswegians. Unfortunately for them, Franco Smith’s men (third) are just looking too good for the 13th-ranked hosts and should bag a comfortable victory.
Verdict: Glasgow (-7.5) 17/20
This looks a banker. Get on the Scots to win by more than a converted try.
Munster 1/25 | Draw 40/1 | Cardiff 9/1
Handicap
Munster (-18.5) 17/20 | Cardiff (+18.5) 17/20
Munster will be out to achieve a second straight victory over Welsh opposition following their round 12 win over Ospreys when they entertain Cardiff at Thomond Park. Not totally unlike their last campaign, the defending champions have enjoyed something of a mid-season resurgence in the past few months and should be celebrating another win come the end of weekend.
Cardiff have lost their last six in all comps and are yet to register their first W this year. They don’t look equipped to stop the Red Army in Limerick.
Verdict: Munster (-18.5) 17/20
I’m all over Munster to clear this handicap. With a packed Thomond Park egging them on, they should be way too strong for the Blues.
