Shaun Goosen previews this weekend's URC games which feature a massive clash between Munster and Leinster while the four South African sides continue to battle it out for the play-offs.
Friday 1 April
Sharks N/A | Draw 50/1 | Dragons 14/1 (19:30)
Handicap
SHarks (-26.5) 17/20 | Dragons (+26.5) 17/20
Dragons may feel the brunt of a Sharks side out to prove a point at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday. The Durbanites’ loss to Edinburgh last week saw them drop two places to now lie eighth on the URC log. With some fresh faces in the team, and considering the 15th-placed Dragons have won just one game out of 11 this season, they should get back to winning ways here.
This is a pretty big handicap, and with some poor weather about I think Dragons can stay within the handicap.
Glasgow N/A | Draw 46/1 | Zebre 14/1
Handicap
Glasgow (-30.5) 17/20 | Zebre (+30.5) 17/20
Glasgow will look to bounce back from last week’s loss when they tackle Zebre at the Scotstoun on Friday. The hosts are fourth but disappointingly fell to Cardiff last time out. With Edinburgh now just two-log points back of them, they will be determined to beat Zebre, who have still not claimed a win in the competition this season.
I’m all over the Glasgow minus here. They should tear the tournament whipping boys apart with poor weather largely negated by the 4G pitch.
Saturday 2 April
Benetton 37/20 | Draw 20/1 | Connacht 47/100 (13:00)
Handicap
Bentton (+4.5) 17/20 | Connacht (-4.5) 17/20
Benetton continue their search for a first win of the year when they welcome Connacht to the Stadio Comunale Monigo on Saturday. The Italian outfit haven’t won since their defeat of Zebre in December and could have a shot here with the return of their Six Nations internationals. 14-man Connacht were walloped by Leinster last week and could be vulnerable again. Take a punt on the upset here.
I’ll be backing Benetton to bag the win here. If you don’t feel comfortable, take the Italians on the plus.
Bulls 52/100 | Draw 20/1 | Ulster 33/20 (14:00)
Handicap
Bulls (-4.5) 17/20 | Ulster (+4.5) 17/20
The Bulls’ unbeaten run will receive another massive test when Ulster arrive at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Jake White’s outfit are expected to play in front of a full house (well, at least half of Loftus should be full) after ticket prices were slashed to just R25, and they’re going to need it against a determined Ulster line-up. The Belfast boys come off the back of a narrow defeat in Cape Town, a game they arguably should have won, and they will push the Bulls close. Ultimately though, the altitude on the highveld may work in the Bulls’ favour.
The Bulls should win, but it’ll be a close-run thing. Backing Ulster on the plus seems the wisest move here.
Lions 27/20 | Draw 25/1 | Edinburgh 63/100 (16:05)
Handicap
Lions (+2.5) 17/20 | Edinburgh (-2.5) 17/20
The Lions will be up against very good Edinburgh outfit at Emirates Airlines Park on Saturday. The Scottish outfit welcomed back their Six Nations internationals last week, a boost that helped power them to a good win over the Sharks in the Durban rain. While this should be another close encounter, the Lions were great in their thumping of Ospreys a week ago and they could back a fourth-straight win in Joburg here. At 27/20, it’s too good an opportunity to miss.
Alternatively, get on the Lions at (+2.5), although I really do expect them to win here.
Stormers 1/50 | Draw 45/1 | Ospreys 11/1 (18:15)
Handicap
Stormers (-22.5) 17/20 | Ospreys (+22.5) 17/20
The red-hot Stormers welcome Ospreys to Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. John Dobson’s men are well and truly clicking, with their defeat of Ulster a week ago boosting them to sixth spot on the URC standings. They should make light work of an Ospreys team coming off the back of a big loss to the Lions — with or without their Welsh internationals.
The Stormers have been magnificent of late and should be able to clear a pretty big handicap against the Welsh outfit here.
Munster 27/20, Draw 20/1, Leinster 64/100 (20:00)
Handicap
Munster (+3.5) 17/20 | Leinster (-3.5) 17/20
The clash of the round pits heavyweights Munster and Leinster against one another at Thomond Park on Saturday. The hosts are third, eight points adrift of the table-topping Leinster, with much riding on the outcome of this one. A Munster loss could see them fall further behind, while a win for the four-time reigning champions will extend their lead at the summit. Despite their poor recent record against the men from Dublin, expect Munster’s sheer desperation to get them over the line.
I reckon the the smart money is on the Munster plus here.
Scarlets 47/100 | Draw 20/1 | Cardiff 37/20 (20:35)
Handicap
Scarlets (-5.5) 17/20 | Cardiff (+5.5) 17/20
Scarlets and Cardiff clash at Parc y Scarlets with just four points separating the sides on the standings. The hosts are 11th, albeit having played one game more than the 13th-placed Cardiff. With Ospreys in ninth, the race for the Welsh Shield is still very much alive. However, the men from Llanelli should bag this one.
Scarlets should be able to bag the win here, but Cardiff should be good enough to remain within the handicap.
