There are two South African teams in action in this weekend’s United Rugby Championship semi-finals and we take a look at both games from a betting angle.
Let’s start with a quick update on the Outright Betting where Leinster are the 2/7 favourites to win the title with the Stormers priced at 13/2, Ulster 15/2 and you can get 20/1 the Bulls.
Click here for Outright Betting
FRIDAY
LEINSTER v BLUE BULLS
Leinster suffered the disappointment of losing the Heineken Champions Cup to La Rochelle two weeks ago, but they bounced back strongly last weekend with a 76-14 thumping over the Glasgow Warriors.
They had finished top of the log after their 18 matches with 13 wins and 5 defeats and their points difference of +270 was a 117 points better than anyone else in the competition.
The Bulls finished 4th on the log with 11 wins and 7 defeats and they had a nail-biter at home to the Sharks last week eventually winning 30-27 thanks to a drop goal in the final minute.
The Bulls and Leinster met at Leinster the first week of the competition way back in September 2021 with Leinster running out 31-3 victors.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Leinster 1/14
Draw 40/1
Blue Bulls 9/1
Handicap: Leinster -19.5
Suggested Bet: Total Points under 51.5 at 9/10
This is playoff rugby and I am expecting a tight encounter and rather than focus on the handicap market I am going to go for the points line which given there is some rain about during the day may be that bit too high.
SATURDAY
STORMERS v ULSTER
The Stormers came through a tough semi-final at home to Edinburgh winning 28-17. The Stormers win over Edinburgh was their 9th in succession and that included a narrow 23-20 win over Ulster back in March. That game was controversial though with Ulster been denied what looked like a legitimate try at the death.
Ulster were very impressive in their home semi-final last week beating Munster 36-17 and they will fancy their chances of getting revenge on the Stormers in Cape Town.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Stormers 8/11
Draw 22/1
Ulster 27/20
Handicap: Stormers -2.5
Suggested Bet: First-Half Winning Margin, Stormers by 1-7 points at 2/1
I am expecting a very tight game here with the Stormers fancied to make a slightly the fastest start and to carry a narrow lead into the break.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
