After a perfect start to their campaigns, the South African sides will look to kick on in the second round of the United Rugby Championship this weekend, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
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Mzansi’s four representatives completed a clean sweep in last weekend’s opening round, and they’ll be keen to continue in that vein.
It starts on Friday night when the Stormers collide with Edinburgh in the Scottish capital. On Saturday, the Lions and Sharks host the Ospreys and Leinster in Johannesburg and Durban respectively, before the Bulls meet Munster in Limerick.
Cardiff vs Zebre
Friday, 2 October – 20:45
Cardiff came up big last weekend, beating the Scarlets 21-15 away from home to set themselves up nicely for their first home fixture.
Zebre are perennial wooden spoonists, but they usually start the season with some zest. That was nowhere to be seen in their heavy 47-13 home loss to the Bulls, so they look in for a long campaign.
Chalk up a commanding win for Cardiff.
Prediction: Cardiff by 25.
Suggested Bet: Cardiff -16-5 at 1.86.
Edinburgh vs Stormers
Friday, 2 October – 20:45
Even after being forced into last-minute changes, the Stormers dug deep and secured a brilliant 29-15 win over Connacht in Galway last Friday night.
There were moments of poor decision-making that cost them, mainly Warrick Gelant trying to run from deep instead of kicking the ball into touch, which resulted in a turnover try, but it was as good a start as the Capetonians could’ve hoped for.
It would also give them a lot of confidence that they can play well and win well on the dreaded 4G pitches they loathe so much, as this encounter in Edinburgh will also be played on a 4G surface.
Edinburgh also looked impressive in their 34-29 away win over Ulster, but if the Stormers can get the same level of contribution as they did from players one to 23 in Ireland, they could edge it.
Prediction: Stormers by 2.
Suggested Bet: Stormers at 2.90.
Benetton vs Connacht
Friday, 2 October – 20:45
Two teams eager to get into the win column collide in Treviso.
Benetton squandered a 14-point head start to draw 19-all with the Dragons, while Connacht are coming off the above-mentioned 14-point home loss to the Stormers.
The last six games between these teams were all won by the side playing at home, so I’m backing Benetton.
Prediction: Benetton by 3.
Suggested Bet: Connacht +3.5 at 1.88.
Lions vs Ospreys
Saturday, 3 October – 13:45
Even though Leinster weren’t at full strength, the Lions made a significant statement by defeating the two-time defending champions last weekend.
The 27-26 scoreline flattered the visitors, who scored in the final play of the game to snatch two log points. That was a pity for the Pride, as was not collecting their own four-try bonus point, but Cash van Rooyen and his charges would’ve been satisfied with their opening salvo.
What I like most about these Lions, who won the South African Shield and reached the playoffs for the first time last season, is the maturity they’ve shown. They’re not the finished article yet, and to underpin that maturity they must win games like this one – i.e. games they’re expected to win that they’ve dropped too many times in the past.
I expect them to double down and deliver against an Ospreys side coming off a hiding in Durban, and I’d like to see an improved defensive effort.
Prediction: Lions by 15.
Suggested Bet: Lions -10.5 at 1.90.
Dragons vs Scarlets
Saturday, 3 October – 16:00
After gifting Benetton an early 14-0 lead, the Dragons played some good rugby and clawed their way back into the contest last weekend. They were unfortunate to draw 19-all in the end, as Thinus de Beer’s conversion attempt to win it hit the upright.
The Scarlets are hoping for a different result in their second consecutive derby game after losing 21-15 to Cardiff in their backyard. The Dragons showed a lot more last weekend and won this fixture last season, so they should get it done.
Prediction: Dragons by 2.
Suggested Bet: Dragons -1.5 at 1.91.
Sharks vs Leinster
Saturday, 3 October – 18:30
The Sharks will be high on confidence after making their best-ever start to a URC campaign last weekend.
The Durbanites dazzled in their 41-24 victory over the Ospreys, complete with some jaw-dropping offloading and interplay between backs and forwards.
However, they will know that they have a mammoth task ahead of them as Leinster are expected to load up on their plethora of internationals that they rested in their one-point loss at Ellis Park.
If the Irish giants are anything but full-strength, I’d back the Sharks, but with most of their big guns, they should be too strong for a game Sharks side.
Prediction: Leinster by 5.
Suggested Bet: Sharks +6.5 at 1.88.
Glasgow Warriors vs Ulster
Saturday, 3 October – 18:30
Both of these teams started slowly and then poured it on last weekend, but only the Warriors were able to complete the comeback.
Franco Smith’s side were down 10-0 away to Munster with a man in the sin bin early on, but showed great character to triumph 26-20 whereas Ulster rallied from 34-5 down at home against Edinburgh but fell short, losing 34-29.
Losing semi-finalists after topping the table last season, Glasgow have their eyes on the title, and they should win this clash rather comfortably.
Prediction: Glasgow Warriors by 14.
Suggested Bet: Glasgow Warriors -13.5 at 1.90.
Munster vs Bulls
Saturday, 3 October – 20:45
The Bulls were like an old John Deere tractor in Parma last weekend.
It took them 26 minutes to get going, but once they did, there was no looking back as they raced to a 47-13 win over Zebre that sees them heading into the second round in pole position.
One can’t really criticise such a big win away from home, but Johan Ackermann will be well aware that his men will have to be much more clinical against Munster as they left plenty of points on the park against the Italian minnows.
Munster will already be feeling the heat after their six-point loss to the Warriors and will do everything in their power to avoid a second straight defeat at home. The Bulls hold a 4-3 lead in this rivalry after they eliminated the Irish club in last season’s quarter-finals, but are yet to win in Limerick.
It’s tempting to go with the Bulls, but after controlling the game against Glasgow for 65 minutes before letting it slip, I think Munster will learn from their mistake and eke out a hard-fought win.
Prediction: Munster by 3.
Suggested Bet: Munster -2.5 at 1.83.
Note: Odds subject to change.
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 20 years of experience.
