European Champions Cup Predictions – Quarter Finals

The road to European Champions Cup glory only gets tougher for the Sharks and the Stormers as they head abroad for their quarter-final assignments this weekend, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The South African sides are in action on Saturday with the Durbanites up first against French giants Toulouse followed by the Capetonians taking on English club Exeter Chiefs.

Leinster and Leicester Tigers face off in the first quarter-final in Dublin on Friday and defending champions La Rochelle play host to Saracens on Sunday.

Leinster v Leicester Tigers

Friday, 07 April –21:00

The action kicks off with a fascinating clash of former champions. Leicester were made to work hard by Edinburgh for their 16-6 win last weekend but also showed what an intriguing stylistic challenge they’ll present to title favourites Leinster, who downed Ulster 30-15.

The game management of halfback duo Jack van Poortvliet and Handre Pollard was nothing short of brilliant and could make them the toughest test to date for the Irish powerhouse.

Leinster, though, have such belief in their multi-phase game and such cohesion that they’ll work their way into the right areas and take their opportunities to tame the Tigers.

Prediction: Leinster by 12.

Suggested Bet: Leicester Tigers +15 at 1.81

Toulouse v Sharks

Saturday, 08 April – 16:00

Toulouse go by many tags but they’ll aim to carve out another as South African slayers as they set their sights on the Sharks after knocking the Bulls out of the competition last weekend.

Toppling the five-time champions at home is a mountainous task for any team and it was particularly ominous that they despatched the Bulls so comprehensively (33-9) despite being nowhere near their best.

For their part, the Sharks dazzled in Durban to canter to a 50-35 victory over Munster and will know they’ll need to be much better defensively if they are to pull off the upset.

The string of injuries they suffered in their last-16 clash have them limping into the Pink City and Toulouse will undoubtedly target the lineout with Eben Etzebeth and Emile van Heerden both sidelined.

The loss of Jaden Hendrikse is massive as one’s best path to victory against the French giants is an accurate kicking game in behind the back three.

Playing a direct, physical game will be paramount and the Sharks have the pack to do so, although, they lack a fetcher, which is particularly crucial to slow Toulouse’s ball down. Discipline will be vital as well as that’s what did the Bulls in.

The Sharks will hang tough, likely longer than the Bulls were able to, but the well-drilled hosts will eventually pull clear to claim another South African scalp.  

Prediction: Toulouse by 14

Suggested Bet: Toulouse -11.5 at 1.82.

Exeter Chiefs v Stormers

Saturday, 08 April – 18:30

The Stormers would much rather have hosted Montpellier, but they’ll enter the Sandy Park showdown high on confidence as Exeter were the most unconvincing of the elite eight qualifiers, needing a last-gasp converted try to force a 33-all extra-time draw with the 14-man French club and advance on tries scored.

The Stormers, in turn, soundly defeated Harlequins even though the 32-28 scoreline doesn’t reflect their dominance with John Dobson’s men being guilty of resting on their laurels and leaking three tries in the last 10 minutes.

It’s a cliché that defence wins finals rugby but it rings especially true in this encounter as the Chiefs are an all-out attacking team. Using phase play to break the opposition down, the English outfit rank second in carries (670), tries (25), and points (172).

The Stormers sparkle on attack and do so with more flair but it’s without the ball where they have a distinct advantage. They’re far more organised and resolute, as well as more disciplined. Exeter haven’t shown the same grit on the defensive line and have conceded the second-most number of penalties (64) in the competition.

The visitors are superiorly balanced with adequate attacking sting, forward power, and discipline to get the job done in a close contest.     

Prediction: Stormers by 3.

Suggested Bet: Exeter Chiefs +4.5 at 1.82.

La Rochelle v Saracens

Sunday, 09 April – 16:00

After surviving a massive scare by Gloucester thanks to a late Teddy Thomas try, La Rochelle would’ve been read the riot act and will be fully switched on come Sunday.

Saracens were slow off the mark as well, trailing the Ospreys 14-3 before turning things around to triumph 30-25. Their strong set pieces will be their biggest weapons against the defending champions.

La Rochelle’s 29-26 wake-up call should inspire a return to form with home-ground advantage helping the men in yellow and black get over the line.

Prediction: La Rochelle by 7.

Suggested Bet: Saracens +7.5 at 1.83.

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.