URC Predictions – Round 10

The action kicks off from a local perspective with the Jukskei derby between the Lions and the Bulls at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Later, the coastal sides are abroad, where the Stormers square off against log leaders Leinster in Dublin and the Sharks collide with Cardiff in the Welsh capital.

Glasgow Warriors vs Connacht

When: Friday, 24 January – 21:35 SAST

Second-placed Glasgow have been inconsistent of late, trading wins and losses in their last six games in all competitions, and have to rebound from their disappointing 24-7 loss to Harlequins without their Scottish stars who are preparing for the Six Nations.

Connacht have managed back-to-back wins in the Challenge Cup, so they enter the encounter with some momentum. However, the Warriors are on a remarkable 13-match home winning streak in all competitions and should turn back their 13th-placed Irish visitors.

Prediction: Glasgow Warriors by 9.
Suggested Bet: Glasgow Warriors -8.5 at 1.84.

Ospreys vs Benetton

When: Friday, 24 January – 21:35 SAST

Winners of three of their last four games in all competitions and coming off a 31-28 away win over Pau, the Ospreys have hit some form and are eager to climb the ladder as they’re in lowly 14th place.

Seventh-placed Benetton have been on quite a run, winning four of their last five matches in all competitions, and the high of their famous 32-25 victory over two-time Champions Cup winners last weekend should carry them to a win here.

Prediction: Benetton by 3.
Suggested Bet: Benetton at 3.50.

Lions vs Bulls

When: Saturday, 25 January – 14:45 SAST

Both the performance and result of last weekend’s clash against Stade Francais was exactly what the Bulls needed as they qualified for the Challenge Cup playoffs and snapped a four-match losing streak in all competitions.

In winning 48-7, they would’ve won back a lot of favour from the fans, which should see a healthy portion of them make the trip to Johannesburg for this Jukskei derby.

The Bulls, in fourth place, are the physically superior side and will lift themselves even more in this metric to prove a point. The Lions, as gutsy as they are, can’t beat the Bulls if it’s a heavyweight slugfest. They have to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee to give themselves a shot.

Even if it is a free-flowing game, the Bulls have become adept at high-octane shootouts, so they appear to have their bases covered. It won’t be easy as the 12th-placed Lions will be confident following their 60-10 drubbing of the Dragons, but the Bulls have the balance, power and depth to make it three in a row against their neighbours in the URC.

Prediction: Bulls by 7.
Suggested Bet: Bulls -4.5 at 1.83.

Scarlets vs Edinburgh

When: Saturday, 25 January – 17:00 SAST

As the sixth-placed side hosting the team in eighth position, this is the type of game the Scarlets should win if they want to ultimately feature in the playoffs. I see Edinburgh getting it done, though.

While they’re fresh off a 38-28 victory over Vannes, the Ospreys have hardly inspired confidence, winning just three of their last seven games in all competitions. Edinburgh, in turn, have won three in a row, including beating Glasgow, and triumphed on their previous visit to Llanelli, so they should do it again.

Prediction: Edinburgh by 3.
Suggested Bet: Scarlets +3.5 at 1.84

Leinster v Stormers

When: Saturday, 25 January – 19:00 SAST

With Leinster being without their litany of internationals, the Stormers smell an opportunity to hand the Irish giants their first loss of the season.

John Dobson prioritised this clash, resting big guns like Deon Fourie, Ben-Jason Dixon, Manie Libbok and Warrick Gelant against Racing 92 last weekend and paying the price, with their 31-22 loss eliminating them from further European competition action. It’s thus crucial that the Capetonians put their best foot forward here.

With their big guns back, the Stormers are in with a shout and worth backing as underdogs. Having said that, they’re too hit or miss for my liking and with Leinster having unrivalled depth, I see the hosts keeping their unbeaten record intact.   

Prediction: Leinster by 5.
Suggested Bet: Stormers +15.5 at 1.83.

Cardiff v Sharks

When: Saturday, 25 January – 19:15 SAST

The Sharks will seek redemption and their first win over Cardiff when the sides collide in the Welsh capital.

The Durban outfit are looking to put last weekend’s humiliating 66-12 defeat at Bordeaux behind them and have their work cut out for them with their injury curse continuing.

They’re on a three-match losing streak in all competitions and are 0-3 in this rivalry. The Welsh side won the first and only game between the teams in Cardiff 23-17 in 2021 and the two games in Durban (35-0 in 2022 and 36-14 in 2024).

Third in the URC, two spots above the Sharks, Cardiff are winless in their last three games in all competitions and are coming off a 28-19 home loss to Connacht, so they’re vulnerable.

This game is a matter of pride for the Sharks and that should see them come out on top.

Prediction: Sharks by 3.
Suggested Bet: Cardiff +8.5 at 1.84.

Dragons v Munster

When: Saturday, 25 January – 21:35 SAST

Where to from here for the Dragons after their 50-point hiding at Ellis Park last weekend? It was their fourth loss on the trot in all competitions, while they’ve won just one of their nine URC games to languish in last place.

Munster have recent wins over Ulster and Saracens and pushed the Northampton Saints close away from home last weekend. They should pick up a full house of log points. 

Prediction: Munster by 18.
Suggested Bet: Munster -8.5 at 1.83.

Ulster vs Zebre

When: Sunday, 26 January – 19:30 SAST

Finding themselves just outside the top eight in ninth place and having crushed the Exeter Chiefs 52-24 last weekend, Ulster are a cut above Zebre and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t win comfortably as the Italian minnows have just two wins in the URC this season and are on a seven-match losing streak in all competitions.

Prediction: Ulster by 20.
Suggested Bet: Zebre +21.5 at 1.83.