5 Matches to Bet On – Pro 14, Top 14, Gallagher Premiership & Currie Cup.

Quintin van Jaarsveld picks and previews five fixtures across the Currie Cup, Gallagher Premiership, PRO14 and Top 14 to bet on this weekend.

As if the global pandemic thought it timely to remind rugby fans to be grateful for what they get any given week, Covid-19 has curtailed several of this weekend’s matches.

Earlier this week, Bulls director of rugby Jake White spoke about the perspective he’d gained over the past three weeks while he and members of his camp were battling the virus. White, who also lost close friends outside of the Bulls bubble to the virus during the same period, said he and his Currie Cup front-running charges have consequently adopted a glass-half-full mentality, and we’re following suit.

With that in mind, here are five matches we’re thankful we’ll still be getting to see (touch wood), whether it’s from an entertainment or betting point of view, or both:

PRO14 – Leinster v Ulster

Friday – 21:35 SA time

Always a highlight on the European calendar, Friday’s repeat of last year’s final is a best-case scenario for the visitors. Marcell Coetzee and company are the only remaining unbeaten team in the tournament, a 15-10 victory over Munster last weekend seeing them perched atop Conference A with a perfect 10 out of 10 record.

Leinster, meanwhile, suffered a shock 35-24 loss to Connacht, which ended their remarkable 26-match winning streak. Their first loss of the season, and first to a fellow Irish side in over six years, was compounded by the loss of Johnny Sexton, who joined the club’s lengthy casualty list when he suffered a head knock in the first half.

He remained doubtful at the time of writing and it would be a massive blow to the hosts’ hopes of bouncing back if their star flyhalf is ruled out. Considering the Irish rivals’ contrasting fortunes, Ulster are a good bet, especially as sizeable underdogs.

Prediction: Ulster by 3.

Suggested Bet: Ulster to win at 5.50

Currie Cup – Griquas v Cheetahs

Saturday – 16:30 SA time

We have to show the Currie Cup some love, even though the initial intrigue at the start of the week around which of the final four will earn home ground advantage for next weekend’s semi-finals has been sucked out with the much-anticipated Western Province-Sharks clash being cancelled and the Bulls beating the Lions on Wednesday to complete the puzzle anti-climatically.

Having cemented top spot, the Bulls are likely to field a ‘B’ team against the Pumas on Sunday, which is why we’ve selected the neighbourly battle in Kimberley as our featured local game. Yes, it’s a dead runner and sticks out like a sore thumb in our selection, but the desire and intensity of both teams, who have the shared goal of finishing the tournament on a high, will make it worth watching. Having been booted out of the PRO14 and with their hopes of retaining their Currie Cup crown dashed in heartbreaking fashion last weekend, expect the men from Bloemfontein to make a statement.

Prediction: Cheetahs by 17.

Suggested Bet: Cheetahs -11.5 at 1.80

Gallagher Premiership – Exeter v Bristol

Saturday – 18:30 SA time

Exeter, with Saffas Jacques Vermeulen and Jannes Kirsten in their ranks, entertain Bristol in a mouth-watering top-of-the-table showdown. Both sides have a 4-1 record, with Exeter occupying top spot thanks to a superior points difference. It’s the Bears, though, who head into the West Country derby with momentum as they mauled high-flying Newcastle 29-17, while an under-strength Chiefs side suffered a crushing 34-5 defeat against Wasps last time out.

Positive Covid-19 cases in the Exeter camp have hampered the defending champions’ preparations this week and with no names or number of cases divulged, it remains to be seen what team Rob Baxter will be able to put together. Pat Lam, conversely, has a full squad to choose from including an influx of key players back from isolation. Bristol’s lone win over Exeter came on their last visit to Sandy Park, where a try in injury time sealed a dramatic 20-17 triumph in 2019.

Exeter responded in kind, though, edging the Bears 25-22 in their backyard last August. It should be close again, with Exeter eking out the win, provided they are able to field a strong matchday 23.

Prediction: Exeter by 5.

Suggested Bet: Bristol +9.5 at 1.80

PRO14 – Connacht v Munster

Saturday – 21:35 SA time

After their stunning aforementioned upset of Leinster to shake-up the competition, second-placed Connacht closed the gap on Conference B pacesetters Munster (with Saffas Daman de Allende, CJ Stander, Chris Cloete and the injured RG Snyman in their ranks) to eight, and they’ll be determined to gain even more ground as the teams go head-to-head.

The first 40 will be particularly paramount to set the tone as Connacht (captained by South African-born Quinn Roux) used this period to pave the way to victory, racing into a commanding 25-5 half-time lead, while Munster trailed 15-3 at the same juncture against Ulster and fell short despite an improved second-half showing. Munster, it must be said, fielded a second-rate side and at full strength, Johann van Graan’s side should continue to lead this derby dance and claim a sixth straight win over the Westerners. It’ll be close though, so Connacht to win at home 3.15 is sure to entice a lot of punters.

Prediction: Munster by 6.

Suggested Bet: Connacht +6.5 at 1.86

Top 14 – Toulouse v Stade Francais

Sunday – 22:05 SA time

There are two titanic Top 14 clashes on the cards this weekend, with log leading La Rochelle hitting the road to take on third-placed Racing 92 on Saturday. The hosts have Saffas Bernard le Roux and Antonie Claassen in their ranks, while La Rochelle have Wiaan Liebenberg, Dillyn Leyds and Raymond Rhule on their books. However, with Toulouse boasting superstar speedster Cheslin Kolbe and fellow Springbok Rynhardt Elstadt, this is the match most South African rugby lovers should look out for.

The hosts sit second on the log and are on a five-match winning streak, while a lukewarm Stade Francais (with Gerbrandt Grobler in their midst) scored a confidence-boosting win over Brive to snap a two-match losing skid. They’re in fifth and did the double over their opponents this weekend in 2020. Toulouse have won seven of the last 10 meetings between the teams, though, and given their form, you’d expect them to come up trumps at home.

Prediction: Toulouse by 9.

Suggested Bet: Stade Francois +15.5 at 1.80.

Quintin van Jaarsveld

Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.