The URC is down to the last four, with the defending champion Stormers out to qualify for their second successive Grand Final.
Saturday 13 May
Stormers 1/8 | Draw 30/1 | Connacht 5/1
Handicap
Stormers | Connacht
The Stormers have a golden opportunity to make another appearance in the competition title decider when they host Connacht in Cape Town in the day’s first semi.
The Western Irish outfit did John Dobson’s men a massive favour when they upset Ulster in their Belfast quarterfinal last week, presenting them with the chance to host this weekend’s semi-final and, potentially, the Grand Final itself.
The Stormers were comprehensive in their 33-21 win over the Bulls last week, cruising to victory in the end courtesy of a dominant display up front, combined with some typically silky backline play spearheaded by the electric Manie Libbok.
The Connacht loose trio was titanic at the Kingspan, with flankers Shamus Hurley-Langton and Conor Oliver making a combined 33-tackles while eighthman Cian Prendergast was a proper nuisance at the breakdown.
The presence of Deon Fourie will be vital for the defending champions considering the Irish side’s excellence in this regard, with the 36-year-old expected to be fit after having picked up a hamstring injury in the quarterfinals.
If the visitors can spoil the Stormers’ breakdown ball they will put themselves in a strong position, but the Capetonians’ physicality and speed of play should overwhelm them in the end.
Stormers on the minus.
🗣️ "Senatla says 'we got dawg!'
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) May 8, 2023
🗣️ "Kitsi did alot of work with Willie at the Grand Beach Cafe last week"
John Dobson is the king of chirps when it comes to press conferences and Steven Kitshoff isn't far behind 😂 pic.twitter.com/48CZV41zHb
Leinster 1/8 | Draw 30/1 | Munster 5/1
Handicap
Leinster | Munster
Munster have a monumental task on their hands if they are to knock over Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.
The Red Army, who dispatched of a deadly Glasgow Warriors side at the Scotstoun in the quarterfinals, have won just three of their previous 20 encounters with their bitter foes stretching back to the 2015/16 season, with their last coming in the Rainbow Cup in April 2021.
With talismanic skipper Peter O’Mahony and RG Snyman both forced off the pitch early on last week and unlikely to be involved, Graham Rowntree’s job will be even tougher here.
The hosts crushed the Sharks 35-5 in Dublin last week and, with their Champions Cup decider set for the same venue next week, will be as hellbent at making another final as ever – especially after their heartbreak last season.
Leo Cullen’s juggernaut seem nigh on unbeatable when they play at home, and that, coupled with the psychological advantage they hold over the Limerick boys, should power them to a convincing win here.
Still relatively new in his role, Rowntree could yet produce something special at Thomond Park, but it won’t be this season.
Leinster to clear the handicap.
𝐈𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐤𝐞 🧁
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 8, 2023
Jamison Gibson-Park finishes a brilliant move for our final try against the Sharks. 🏃♂️💨#LEIvSHA #BKTURC pic.twitter.com/O9AyT25X0k
