The United Rugby Championship returns this weekend and we take a look at the four matches featuring the South African teams.

Leinster remain red hot favourites at 5/10 to win the United Rugby Championship Title with the Stormers and Munster both priced at 15/2, Ulster are 8/1 and you can get 12/1 the Sharks, 14/1 the Bulls and 22/1 and better the balance.

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FRIDAY

Leinster v Stormers – Click here to bet

Leinster are cruising at the top of the table with 15 wins from 15 matches.  Their last action was a 47-27 away win at Edinburgh in early March.  They won’t be at full strength here as a number of their Irish Internationals are being rested.

The Stormers are 2^nd on the log with 11 wins, a draw and 3 losses in their 15 starts.  Their last match was at home to the Sharks where they won 29-23 and they are sending what looks a full strength side to take on the log leaders.

Handicap:  Leinster -5.5

The money has come for this Stormers side with the handicap moving from an opening call of +10.5 and I fancy a big game from the Stormers and I am going to back them to score 23 points or more.

Suggested Bet:  Stormers, over 22.5 points at 9/10

Place a multiple on all 4 South African URC teams this week, and if your bet loses by 1 leg, we will refund your stake in Free Bet vouchers

SATURDAY

Benetton v Lions – Click here to bet

Benetton are currently 9^th on the table sitting just outside the play-off positions, they have won 8 and lost 7 of their matches this season and last time out they got an invaluable away win at Ospreys winning 21-20.

The Lions are 11^th on the log with 7 victories and 8 defeats in their 15 starts.  They have ended up a poor run with back-to-back victories at home against the Glasgow Warriors and away at the Bulls.

Handicap:  Benetton -6.5

The handicap in this match looks well set and I am going for a speculative play of the Lions to lead at the break, but the home team Benetton to come storming back for the victory.

Suggested Bet:  Half-time/Full-Time, Lions/Benetton at 5/1

Scarlets v Sharks – Click here to bet

Scarlets are currently down in 14^th on the table and out of play-off contention.  They put up a brave fight last time out away at Munster eventually going down 49-42.  Their last home game in mid-February was a 42-14 victory over Edinburgh.

The Sharks are 7^th on the log with 8 wins and 7 losses in their 15 matches.  They went down 29-23 to the Stormers on the road last time out, their second successive defeat having also lost to Ulster at home the week before that.

Handicap:  Scarlets +6.5

It has been some time since the Sharks have been able to field a team in which it included its Springboks and I think they are going to win this one going away.

Suggested Bet:  Handicap, Sharks -6.5 at 19/20

Ulster v Blue Bulls – Click here to bet

Ulster have won 10 and lost 5 of their 15 matches and they currently sit 3^rd on the log.  Their last action was away at Cardiff where they put in a strong performance to win 42-20 and their last home game was a 35-5 victory over the Stormers back at the end of January.

The Bulls are currently 6^th on the log with 8 victories and 7 defeats and last time out they were beaten 25-29 by the Lions at home, a disappointing result given they started double digit favourites.  The Bulls last away game in Europe was a 37-28 loss to the Scarlets.

Handicap:  Ulster -9.5

Despite a poor recent run the Bulls are still very much in play-off contention and with the resources at their disposal this weekend, I am expecting them to beat the handicap.

Suggested Bet:  Handicap, Blue Bulls +9.5 at 17/20

Click here for betting on all the weekend’s URC matches

Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change