The Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks travel to Wales for key United Rugby Championship fixtures this weekend while the DHL Stormers and Fidelity Securedrive Lions host Connacht and Glasgow.
With four rounds remaining in the league phase, the Stormers are the best-placed local team in second position, followed by the Lions (fifth), the Bulls (eighth) and the Sharks (10th).
The Stormers will be gunning for a top-two finish in the coming weeks, and ultimately the right to host a quarterfinal and a potential semifinal. John Dobson's charges will tackle Connacht in Cape Town this Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Bulls and Lions will need to maintain their winning momentum if they are to finish in the top four.
The Bulls face a much-improved Dragons side in Newport on Friday night, while the Lions host Glasgow Warriors – the URC log-leaders – in Johannesburg.
The Sharks have work to do if they're going to qualify, and will view the game against the Ospreys in Bridgend on Saturday night as a must-win fixture.
Dragons V Bulls
- Date: Friday, 17 April
- Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport
- Time: 8:45pm (SA Time)
- TV: SuperSport
The Dragons have been more competitive this season, despite claiming just two wins over the course of their URC campaign. They come into this fixture on the back of two victories in the European Challenge Cup playoffs, and while they will take some confidence into the clash against the Bulls, they make feel the effects of a six-day turnaround. By contrast, the Bulls have had two weeks to prepare for the visit to Newport, after their Champions Cup campaign concluded prematurely in Glasgow. South African teams have been known to struggle in Welsh conditions, but given the importance of this clash and the quality of personnel at the Bulls' disposal, one would expect the tourists to win by an 11-15 point margin (5.00). A safer bet is the Dragons' handicap of +14 (2.00).
Stormers V Connacht
- Date: Saturday, 18 April
- Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- Time: 1:45pm (SA Time)
- TV: SuperSport
Like the Bulls, the Stormers have had an extra week to prepare for the next set of URC games, after falling out of the Champions Cup title race. They've been especially dominant at home this season, and will fancy their chances against a Connacht side that's coming off a Challenge Cup playoff defeat against Montpellier. The recent battle in France as well as the travel to South Africa may have taken its toll on the Irish side, and they may prefer to target their second tour fixture against the Lions next week. The Stormers should push for a try-scoring bonus point, in an attempt to stay in touch with log-leaders Glasgow. Connacht should do enough, however, to finish within the 21-point handicap (1.95), and the wet weather forecast for Saturday could also keep the aggregate score relatively low.
Lions V Glasgow Warriors
- Date: Saturday, 18 April
- Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Time: 4pm (SA Time)
- TV: SuperSport
The Lions have won their last four URC fixtures, and have had three weeks to prepare for a battle against Glasgow at Ellis Park. Meanwhile, the Warriors are coming off two bruising Champions Cup encounters against the Bulls and Toulon – with the latter culminating in a narrow loss. The most recent result could force a shift in priorities on the two-match tour to South Africa. Nevertheless, Glasgow will be hard-pressed to fire at altitude this Saturday, as the 3.80 odds on a Warriors win suggest. The Lions may take heart from the fact that they thumped Glasgow 44-21 when the Scottish side visited in 2024, and it's fair to say that Cash van Rooyen's charges have added a lot more to their game in subsequent seasons. Glasgow start with a +8 handicap (2.05) but will be desperate to finish within seven for the losing bonus point.
Ospreys V Sharks
- Date: Saturday, 18 April
- Venue: Electric Brewery Field, Bridgend
- Time: 8:45pm (SA Time)
- TV: SuperSport
The Sharks travel to Wales this weekend needing a win – and preferably a bonus-point win – to keep their playoff hopes alive. They go into this match against the Ospreys as 1.75 favourites, given their access to a clutch of Springboks, and should emerge with at least four log points. Whether their defence can contain the Ospreys is another story, and the final scoreline should be tight, as the +2 handicap (1.95) suggests.
Bet On The United Rugby Championship At SuperSportBet
Looking to add excitement to the United Rugby Championship? Place your bets on your favourite teams and matches with competitive odds and diverse rugby betting markets at SuperSportBet.
