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PREVIEW: Final regular season SA derbies on show in URC Round 15

Sharks v Lions URC
Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

Regular season derby action concludes for SA’s franchises this weekend, with the Stormers hosting the Sharks in the Cape and the Lions making the short trip to Pretoria to tackle the Bulls in what is a full round of URC fixtures this weekend.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Friday 3 March

Munster 1/14 | Draw 33/1 | Scarlets 7/1

Handicap
Munster (-16.5) 17/20 | Scarlets (+16.5) 17/20

Since losing to Leinster on Boxing Day, Munster have claimed four wins from four in the URC to climb to fifth; just two points off a home playoff spot. With demanding clashes against Glasgow (home), the Stormers and Sharks (both away) still to come after this one, it’s vital they take full advantage against a red-hot Scarlets outfit. At Thomond Park though, it shouldn’t be a problem; especially with RG Snyman set to make his return off the wood.

In spite of their lowly position (14th), Dwayne Peel’s men are enjoying a great run of late, having won all six of their matches in all competitions this year. Scarlets have a challenging run in themselves, with clashes with the Sharks (home) and Glasgow (away) to come before they take on Dragons at Rodney Parade in the final round. Trailing Cardiff by seven points on the Welsh Shield standings, it seems as though a Champions Cup place has eluded them yet again.

Scarlets on the plus.

Glasgow Warriors 1/50 | Draw 45/1 | Zebre 11/1

Handicap
Glasgow (-22.5) 17/20 | Zebre (+22.5) 17/20

Glasgow’s 10-match unbeaten run came to an end in Johannesburg last week, but this home clash with Zebre provides them with the perfect chance to get back to winning ways. Warriors are 10-points clear at the summit of the Scottish/Italian Shield and occupy fourth overall, though the likes of Munster (fifth), Bulls (sixth) and Sharks (seventh) are right behind them on the overall log. Picking up five-log points from this one is non-negotiable.

Zebre gave Connacht a proper arm-wrestle before finally going down 34-57 in Parma in their last outing. With four matches left for them this season, it’s tricky seeing them get that elusive first win.

Warriors to clear the handicap.

Saturday 4 March

Stormers 32/100 | Draw 22/1 | Sharks 26/10

Handicap
Stormers (-7.5) 17/20 | Sharks (+7.5) 17/20

A win for the Stormers on Saturday would give them a six-from-six record against the rest of SA’s franchises this season; a remarkable achievement that may not be repeated for some time. Unlike some of their local counterparts, John Dobson’s unit have continued to get results in spite of the absence of their top Springboks, and their consistency has been rewarded with a second-placed finish in sight.

The Sharks again disappointed against Ulster at home last week and now sit seventh with a home quarterfinal unlikely given their schedule, as well as the tight-knit nature of the top eight. Neil Powell’s men were clobbered by the Capetonians at Hollywoodbets Kings Park at the beginning of February and it’s tough to see them getting anything out of this one.

Stormers to clear the handicap in Cape Town.

Bulls 1/8 | Draw 28/1 | Lions 54/10

Handicap
Bulls (-13.5) 17/20| Lions (+13.5) 17/20

The Bulls are sixth on 41-points and can maintain the pressure on fourth-placed Glasgow (44-points) by continuing to collect victories. Their morale took a massive hit in their loss to the Stormers at a jam-packed Loftus a fortnight ago, but they should have the bouncebackability to earn a bonus-point win over the Lions here.

The Joburgers produced a fantastic showing to down a sizzling Warriors side at Emirates Airline Park a week ago, but they shouldn’t have enough to prevent a winless SA derby return this season.

Lions on the plus.

Edinburgh 29/10 | Draw 22/1 | Leinster 27/100

Handicap
Edinburgh (+8.5) 17/20| Leinster (-8.5) 17/20

Edinburgh’s 5-9 record this season sees them currently occupy 11th and they’re unlikely to progress to the knockouts. Without their Scotland internationals this weekend, they won’t have the strength in depth to match mighty Leinster.

Visitors on the minus is an easy one here.

Ospreys 43/100 | Draw 20/1 | Benetton 2/1

Handicap
Ospreys (-5.5) 17/20| Benetton (+5.5) 17/20

Ospreys still have an outside chance of hauling in Welsh Shield leaders Cardiff and seal Champions Cup participation next season. They’re second in the region, trailing the men in blue by five points with their final-round tie in Swansea set to be decisive. They’ve got to keep winning until then though, and this week face a solid Benetton outfit.

The Treviso boys are just a point outside the top eight and can give their playoff prospects a big boost with victory here. Unfortunately for them, their away record hasn’t been so great and they should cop a narrow loss here.

Benetton on the plus.

Dragons 2/1| Draw 20/1 | Connacht 43/100

Handicap
Dragons (+5.5) 17/20| Connacht (-5.5) 17/20

Dragons’ three-game losing run has seen them drop to 15th, having all but secured the Welsh Shield wooden spoon, although they do still have dates with Ospreys (away) and Scarlets (home). Much like the rest of the Welsh contingent though, without their internationals, they are a much less dangerous prospect.

In contrast to their opponents this week, Connacht have won their last three in the URC to place them eighth, though with Cardiff (ninth) and Benetton (10th) each just one point back. They should have the grit to get over the line at Rodney Parade here.

Connacht on the minus.

Cardiff 2/1 | Draw 20/1 | Ulster 43/100

Handicap
Cardiff (+5.5) 17/20| Ulster (-5.5) 17/20

Ninth-placed Cardiff are just a single point off the top eight, and hold a five-point lead at the summit of the Welsh Shield. Finer margins are difficult to come by, and their tough run-in means they’ll need to fight for every point they can get from here on out. Unfortunately for them, coming up against a confident Ulster lineup without their Test players this weekend may prove a stretch too far.

The Duane Vermeulen-inspired Northern Irishmen should ride the momentum from their win at Kings Park last week into this encounter.

Ulster clear the handicap here.

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