The Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers will be desperate to bounce back from recent defeats to South African opposition when they head to Johannesburg and Durban respectively this weekend.
The Bulls have turned the corner, having won recent matches against Pau and Edinburgh.
And yet, Johan Ackermann’s charges will have a point to prove when they face the Lions at Ellis Park this Saturday, having lost the previous Jukskei derby 43-33 in Pretoria.
Meanwhile, the second instalment of the coastal derby will play out at Kings Park, and the Sharks will have their tails up, after securing a shock 30-19 win against the Stormers in Cape Town last week.
The Stormers could move back to the top of the United Rugby Championship table if they win in Durban, and if Munster beat current leaders Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun.
Third-placed Leinster trail the Stormers by a single log point, and could find themselves in pole position if they secure a bonus-point win against Edinburgh in Dublin, and if results in Glasgow and Durban go their way.
The result of the Jukskei derby may determine which of the two Gauteng teams finish the round in the top eight. The Lions are currently in seventh place, while the Bulls are in ninth.
The Sharks (11th) will be aiming for another win against the Stormers that propels them up the URC ladder. They currently trail the seventh-placed Lions by five points.
Lions Vs Bulls
- Date: Saturday, 31 January
- Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Time: 2:30 (SA Time)
- TV: SuperSport
The Lions have lost just one game at Ellis Park this season – against Benetton in the Champions Cup this past December – and on that basis, you’d expect them to be favourites for Saturday’s clash.
The Bulls’ recent form, however, has influenced the market, and the Lions will start the derby at 2.87 underdogs and with a +5 (1.90) handicap.
Both teams are returning from their respective tours to Europe, and there may be some fatigue in the final stages.
After drawing their last two fixtures, the Lions will be desperate to claim a win, but may have to settle for a narrow defeat (and a losing bonus point).
For this reason, the handicap bet will be a good one to take.
Sharks Vs Stormers
- Date: Saturday, 31 January
- Venue: Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Time: 5pm (SA Time)
- TV: SuperSport
A lot’s been said since last week’s result in Cape Town, and the next clash in the Shark Tank won’t want for drama or emotion.
Once again, the Sharks come into the game as underdogs, with a bet on the Durban-based side paying 2.25 and a +2 handicap offering a 1.90 return.
The Stormers have welcomed back a few heavy hitters, whereas the Sharks have suffered a few injury setbacks – and it’s likely that John Dobson’s charges will have their revenge.
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