by SuperSportBet
The Vodacom Bulls should fancy their chances against Bordeaux-Bégles in the first round of the European Champions Cup this weekend, while the DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks face tougher assignments in France.
The Bulls, Sharks and Stormers come into this season’s edition of the Champions Cup with a point to prove, having failed to progress beyond the pool phase in the 2024/25 instalment.
The first two rounds of the pool phase will be staged over the next two weekends – and is typically the case in these European competitions, home wins will be non-negotiable for teams looking to qualify for the playoffs.
The Stormers have enjoyed a dream start to the United Rugby Championship season, winning six matches in a row. It remains to be seen whether they can replicate that form when they head to Bayonne on Friday night and host La Rochelle next week.
The Bulls have been less successful in recent months, and but could make a statement when they host Bordeaux – the reigning champions – in Pretoria this Saturday.
The Sharks head to Toulouse on Sunday as underdogs, even though they should be bolstered by the return of a few Springboks.
Bayonne are fifth in the French Top 14, and under normal circumstances, would be heavy favourites to beat the Stormers in France. But the Stormers have built up some momentum in recent months, and are full value for their position at the top of the URC log. John Dobson has retained some of the players who beat Munster last week, but has made changes in key positions – third-choice flyhalf Clinton Swart will start at No 10 – and leading Boks are yet to return. The Stormers start as 2.10 underdogs and with a +1 handicap (1.95), and both bets may be worth exploring.
Bordeaux were the dominant team in Europe last season, favouring an all-out attacking brand of rugby that few defences managed to nullify. It remains to be seen whether they will be at their best in Pretoria on Saturday – as French clubs have tended to save their finest performances for the fixtures staged in the north – but they will have opportunities against a Bulls defence that has struggled in the early stages of the URC. A high-scoring contest is likely, and while they start as 1.61 favourites, the Bulls will be happy to come away with a win.
The Sharks have won one from six in the URC this season and currently languish in 14th place on the table. Meanwhile, Toulouse sit at the top of the French Top 14 standings. Unsurprisingly, the former Champions Cup winners will start Sunday’s fixture as big favourites – the Sharks are 34.00 underdogs – but the visitors would expect to finish within the +36 handicap (1.95), at the very least.
SuperSportBet offers a wide range of rugby betting markets for the Champions Cup, including odds on outright winners, point spreads, and more. Back your favourite South African teams and players, and take advantage of competitive odds throughout the tournament. Place your bets today at SuperSportBet.
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