Independent Media rugby writer Mike Greenaway picks this weekend’s United Rugby Championship winners...
The United Rugby Championship was back in full force last week after a break during the Six Nations.
The South African teams won three out of the four games, with just the Lions losing.
Similarly, three of our four tips paid off – Bulls and Stormers to win and Lions to lose by not more than 8.5 points.
The disappointment was at Kings Park, where we tipped the Sharks to win by a larger margin than they did.
As many as 15 of the 16 teams can still make the URC top eight, and this round 14 weekend intensifies the race to eight.
There will be some close battles, but shrewd betting can earn punters a profit.
Ulster v Stormers in Belfast, 9.35pm on Friday
South African teams usually don’t do well in Belfast, but I am backing the Stormers to buck the trend. Ulster are not the force they used to be, while the Capetonians are coming into form after a tough start to the URC campaign.
Betting angle
A nice-paying bet is to take the Stormers on an outright win (R100 will earn you a profit of R170). A more conservative option is to take the Stormers on the +4.5 handicap. I can’t see them losing by more than that in what will be a tight game.
Sharks v Leinster in Durban, 7.15pm on Saturday
The Sharks blew hot and cold in scraping to a one-point defeat of gallant Zebre, while Leinster were probably unlucky to lose to the Bulls at the death.
The Sharks will be much better this week. They tend to rise to the occasion against the big teams, and I think they will win a close game.
Betting angle
Sharks to win.
Bulls v Zebre in Pretoria, 2.45pm on Saturday
The one area where the Sharks dominated Zebre was the set-pieces.
The Bulls pack is even stronger in the scrums, and Jake White would have learned from the Sharks game that it is folly to kick too much to the counter-attacking Italians.
Betting angle
There is no point in betting on a Bulls win because the return is poor, because they are heavy favourites. I’m going for the Bulls on the -20.5 handicap, which means I think they will by at least 21 points.
Warriors v Lions in Glasgow, 9.35pm on Saturday
The Lions are approaching the Last Chance Saloon in terms of the top eight after losing in Cardiff last week. They need to get log points out of this game, but that is easier said than done against the defending champions.
Betting angle
A tasty bet is to take the Lions on the +13.5 handicap. I don’t think they will lose by more than that, and R100 will win you a profit of R90.
Other URC games
Edinburgh v Dragons, Friday, 9.35pm
Edinburgh to win
Connacht v Munster, Saturday, 4.30pm
Munster to win
Scarlets v Ospreys, Saturday, 5pm
Scarlets to win
Benetton v Cardiff, Saturday, 7.15pm
Benetton to win