There are four URC fixtures to look forward to this weekend, with all of the South African sides in action across Europe! Shaun Goosen previews.
Friday 25 February
Zebre 8/1 | Draw 38/1 | Bulls 1/16 (19:30)
The Bulls will look to pick up some momentum against Zebre at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday. The men from Pretoria have drastically underperformed in the URC this season, winning just three from nine to occupy 12th place on the standings. Coming up against winless, bottom-placed Zebre here, they will expect to bounce back from their recent loss to the Sharks and pick up some momentum ahead of four consecutive home matches to come.
The Bulls should prove far too good for a Zebre side who have been battered by all and sundry this season.
Leinster 1/100 | Draw 40/1 | Lions 13/1 (21:30)
It doesn’t get any easier for the Lions as they travel to the RDS to tackle Leinster on Friday. When compared to the latest developments at SA’s other URC franchises, it would seem the Johannesburg-based side are on a downward spiral of note in a number of departments. Currently 14th after just two wins from nine, there’s little to suggest Cash van Rooyen’s charges will be able to remain in touching distance with the quadruple-defending champions here.
While the Lions do posses some real x-factor players, I simply cannot see the Jo’burg side laying a glove on the Irish giants.
Saturday 26 February
Connacht 5/10, Draw 20/1, Stormers 7/4 (15:00)
The Stormers will be quietly confident of upsetting Connacht at the Galway Stadium on Saturday. Connacht coach Andy Friend recently expressed immense confidence in his side’s ability to claim a positive result this weekend, and his men will be looking to back that up with a win. But the Capetonians, unbeaten in their last four, have hit a purple patch of late and could spring a surprise here.
The Cape side have been red-hot of late, with their results against a stacked Sharks side particularly eye-catching. Back them to get the job done in Galway.
Benetton 3/1 | Draw 23/1 | Sharks 26/100 (17:05)
The Sharks can continue their quest for a playoff berth when they travel to the Stadio Comunale Monigo to tackle Benetton on Saturday. Not unlike the rest of the SA contingent, Sean Everitt’s side have endured an inconsistent debut campaign in the URC. But with a number of home matches up ahead, and coming off the back of a good win over the Bulls, one would think they’d have the quality to see off a Benetton side missing 13 players to Italy’s Six Nations squad.
The Sharks should brush aside Benetton’s second XV with minimal fuss over in Italy.
