Stormers vs Sharks
The Stormers welcome the Sharks to the Cape Town Stadium for this crucial match in the URC. The visitors will be looking for revenge as they were thrashed 46-19 on their home ground in the reverse fixture. The Stormers have all but secured a home playoff match as they are 12 points ahead of the fifth place team. They will still however want the win to keep their momentum going while the Sharks will be desperate for the win as their place in the playoffs is hanging in the balance. They are currently in 7th spot but there are at least three teams that can catch them if they lose.
TIP: The Sharks team that is selected for this match will have a point to prove as the critics say the Durban side is powerless without their Springboks. The Stormers on the other hand have shown that they are still difficult to beat minus their national players although they are not as depleted as the Sharks with national call ups. The visitors will need a drastic improvement in the scrum as they were smashed by the Stormers front row in the reverse fixture. The bookies have the Stormers as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.36, Gbets 1.37 and Hollywoodbets 1.36
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Stormers vs Sharks
- The Stormers are unbeaten against the Sharks in the last four matches with three wins and a draw.
- The last time the Sharks won in Cape Town was in 2021.
Latest results for both teams
The Stormers beat the Bulls 23-19 in their last match while the Sharks lost 31-24 to Ulster in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Sharks will be kicking themselves for their loss to Ulster as their pack was bullied for the second time in two matches. The Stormers will no doubt be attacking the visitors in the scrums and the lineout and unless the Sharks make drastic improvements, they could be in for a long afternoon. The home team have found the perfect balance of interplay within the backs and forwards with Mannie Libbok being brilliant in the playmaker role. His battle with Curwin Bosch will go a long way to deciding which team will come out on top. The player that the Sharks will look to is number 9 Grant Williams as he can change a game on his own. I am predicting Stormers to win by 12 points
Probable Starting XVs
Stormers
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Brok Harris.
Sharks
15 Henry Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi (captain), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Reniel Hugo, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Stormers victory are as follows:
Betway 1.36
Gbets 1.37
Hollywoodbets 1.36
Odds comparison on the Stormers handicap:
The complete odds on the Stormers handicap:
Betway 1.88 (-7.5)
Gbets 1.91 (-7.5)
Hollywoodbets1.90 (-7.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Stormers outright win therefore we suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.88 (-7.5), Gbets 1.91 (-7.5) and Hollywoodbets1.90 (-7.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
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Leicester Tigers vs Bath Rugby
Harlequins vs Exeter Chiefs
Newcastle Falcons vs London Irish
Sale Sharks vs Saracens
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
