Round 17 of the URC season is upon us. This means two matches remain for teams on the edge of playoff contention to fight their way into the finals.
The biggest weekend match sees Bulls host Cardiff in Pretoria. This is third against fifth, with Bulls hoping that two bonus-point wins will see them pass Glasgow Warriors into second on the log.
The British & Irish Lions squad was announced today for their summer tour of Australia. It will be interesting to see how players in the touring party and those who missed out react to the news. Here is a look at some of the crucial games this weekend.
Sharks VS Ospreys
Friday, 9 May – Kings Park Stadium, Durban
- Sharks – 2/25
- Ospreys – 9/1
- Draw – 44/1
- Handicap – 18.5
The Sharks are in a weird spot without a ton to play for. They sit fourth in the table, five points behind the Bulls and seven points ahead of Cardiff on their own little island. It is hard to see them catching anyone in front of them, but it is also unlikely they will slip to fifth. This will at least guarantee a home quarter-final.
The Ospreys are 11th but still in the hunt, just three points behind the final playoff spot. Their issue is the amount of traffic between them and Benetton. They realistically need to win both remaining games.
They won’t.
Ospreys were impressive in their 57-24 destruction of Dragons last time out, but that is the score you are supposed to put up against the worst team in the comp. There is no Ox Nche in the Sharks’ side, but they still win this and cover.
Bulls VS Cardiff
Saturday, 10 May – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- Bulls – 1/20
- Cardiff – 10/1
- Draw – 44/1
- Handicap – 18.5
Cardiff are big underdogs here, but this team can cause Bulls some problems. Bulls are in fine form, with huge wins on the road against Munster and Glasgow Warriors last month, but they will have to be on their guard to keep the momentum going with the playoffs around the corner.
A bonus point would be huge. The Bulls face the terrible Dragons on the season’s final day, and a five-point win there feels like an inevitability. If they can grab 10 points from their final two fixtures, then second place is possible.
I like Cardiff to fight and cover, but Bulls to continue their march as one of the form sides entering the postseason.
Stormers VS Dragons
Saturday, 10 May – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
- Stormers – 1/100
- Dragons – 16/1
- Draw – 44/1
- Handicap – 32.5
A bonus-point win here would all but confirm the Stormers as a finals team this season. That makes this the ideal time to face the worst team in the comp.
Dragons have one win and 15 losses this season with a point differential of -225. Their 534 points conceded are over 100 more than anyone other than Benneton (441), and they have barely been competitive this year.
If Ospreys can put 57 on Dragons as they did last week, then Stormers at home should approach that number. Even with this huge line, I like the home side to cover as they blast the Dragons’ doors off.
