URC Predictions – Round 16

The Sharks will also seek to score an important away win against Ulster in Belfast on Saturday to continue their push for a top-two finish. Earlier in the day, the Lions host Connacht at Ellis Park, and the Stormers collide with Benetton in Cape Town.

Glasgow Warriors v Bulls

Friday, 25 April – 20:35 SAST

It’s a crunch clash as the second-placed team play host to the third-placed team in a repeat of last year’s final. The Bulls will be looking to return the favour after the Warriors did the unthinkable and beat Jake White’s troops at Loftus Versfeld to lift the silverware.

The men from Pretoria haven’t won in Glasgow before but are on a high following their gritty 16-13 triumph over Munster in Limerick last weekend to clinch the “Irish Slam.” The return of Johan Goosen has given the Bulls the assured direction they lacked in his absence and, coupled with their powerful and hard-working pack, give them a shot.

The Warriors were far from their best in their 14-6 away win over Zebre last weekend. Only claiming four points meant they’re now just four points ahead of the Bulls, so the window of opportunity is there for the Bulls to overtake them. Power and grit alone won’t be enough, though, and I sense the speed and efficiency of the hosts will see them through.

Prediction: Glasgow Warriors by 4.
Suggested Bet: Glasgow Warriors -3 at 1.90.

Cardiff v Munster

When: Friday, 25 April – 20:35 SAST

Cardiff came up big last weekend, beating the Ospreys 36-19 away from home to finish the round in sixth position. However, they have to back up that performance in this all-important home fixture as they could drop up to five places if they lose and other results don’t go their way.

Seventh-placed Munster are seething after their narrow loss to the Bulls. This is a better stylistic matchup for them as whereas they lost the physical exchanges against the big South Africans last weekend, they should have the upper hand in that department and that should prove decisive.

Prediction: Munster by 4.
Suggested Bet: Cardiff +5 at 1.90.

Lions v Connacht

Saturday, 26 April – 16:00 SAST

The Lions will look to redeem themselves after last weekend’s woeful performance against Benetton.

The Pride are on a five-match losing streak and are looking like an unhappy bunch. Aside from the continuous elementary errors they made in last weekend’s 42-31 loss, they lacked urgency for the first 60 minutes of the game. It’s as if they’re mentally defeated. Can they find some inspiration and accuracy? You never know with them, but I, for one, won’t be backing them.

Connacht stayed in the contest brilliantly in Cape Town last weekend and still feel aggrieved that their match-winning try was wiped off due to obstruction. With the general composure and attacking efficiency they showed against the Stormers, they should add to the Lions’ woes.

Prediction: Connacht by 7.
Suggested Bet: Connacht at 3.00.

Ospreys v Dragons

When: Saturday, 26 April – 16:00 SAST

The Welsh derby pits revenge against opportunity.

The Dragons scored the only win of their campaign against the Ospreys in their first meeting back in September, a 23-21 triumph, so for them it’s an opportunity to clinch a second victory, while for the Ospreys, it’s a chance to set the record straight.

Both teams are coming off home losses, the Ospreys to Cardiff (36-19) and the Dragons to the Scarlets (31-23). Using what can now be seen as an embarrassing blemish of their previous clash as fuel, the Ospreys ought to get their pound of flesh in this return fixture.

Prediction: Ospreys by 9.
Suggested Bet: Dragons +13 at 1.90.

Stormers v Benetton

When: Saturday, 26 April – 18:15 SAST

For as electrifying as the Stormers were on attack, their leaky defence oh so nearly cost them the game against Connacht last weekend. Thus, John Dobson will be asking for a complete performance against a game Benetton side.

Benetton are happy campers after their 42-31 win at Ellis Park last weekend. They deserve credit for their set-piece dominance and for bossing the breakdown, but most of their points came from Lions’ mistakes, and their discipline was diabolical in the second half.

The Stormers won’t be nearly as wasteful as the Lions and should claim a comfortable win.

Prediction: Stormers by 11.
Suggested Bet: Stormers -10 at 1.90.

Scarlets v Leinster

When: Saturday, 26 April – 18:15 SAST

The Scarlets are two points outside of the top eight in ninth place following their 31-23 win over the Dragons, so any points they can muster against the runaway log leaders would come in mightily handy.

Even if the Irish giants are to rest some of their star players ahead of next weekend’s Investec Champions Cup semi-finals, though, they have more than enough depth to continue their winning ways.

Prediction: Leinster by 14.
Suggested Bet: Leinster -12 at 1.90.

Ulster v Sharks

When: Saturday, 26 April – 20:35 SAST

After snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in Edinburgh last weekend, the Sharks will know they’ll need to be markedly better if they want to back up the 18-17 win with another positive result.

There were issues aplenty for the star-studded Durbanites. They failed to fire a shot in the first half, their kicking wasn’t accurate enough, they had defensive issues out wide and their ill-discipline saw them bleed two yellow cards.

On the plus side, their defence was dogged and nothing short of heroic while the way they stayed in the fight until pulling off the great escape will bolster their character. Their returning Springboks should also be better after shaking off the rust.

Ulster predictably lost away to Leinster to drop out of the top eight to 10th place, six spots behind the Sharks, and will be desperate to bounce back. They’re notoriously tough to beat at home, but if the Sharks can play to their potential, they should seal the deal.

Prediction: Sharks by 2.
Suggested Bet: Sharks at 1.61.

Zebre v Edinburgh

When: Saturday, 26 April – 20:35 SAST

Zebre were gutsy in their 14-8 defeat to the Warriors last weekend, making the defending champions work hard and denying them a bonus point. They’ll take some positives out of the performance and look to cast doubt into their visitors’ minds with a strong start.

As for Edinburgh, it’s important that they put their last-gasp loss to the Sharks behind them and focus on the tricky task at hand. They have both the fast-paced attack and the kicking game to get it done, it’s simply a matter of converting opportunities and territorial advantage better this week, which they ought to do.

Prediction: Edinburgh by 7.
Suggested Bet: Edinburgh -3 at 1.90.