Stormers vs Bulls
The Stormers and Bulls have made the finals against all odds and have beaten the more fancied teams in the semi-finals to set up a match in the Mother City of Cape Town. The Bulls in particular did the almost impossible by dumping Irish giants Leinster out in their own backyard while the Stormers clinched a 17-15 victory after the final hooter had sounded thanks to Manie Libbok’s late conversion. This match will be the third time these sides have met this season with the Stormers winning the previous two mainly due to having a stronger scrum. It remains to be seen if the Bulls front row can match the Stormers scrum.
TIP: All finals are decided by the forwards and this match will be no different as both these teams have built their success this season on excellent forward packs. The Bulls have been expertly led by Marcell Coetzee while the Stormers have had the player of the tournament Evan Roos leading the way for them. The team whose loose forwards come out on top will win this match. The bookies have the Stormers as favourites but I’m tipping the Bulls for the upset win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 2.20, Playabets 2.23 and Sunbet 2.20
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Stormers vs Bulls
- The Bulls have won four of the last six matches between these teams.
- The Stormers have won the last two matches between these teams.
Latest results for both teams
The Stormers beat Ulster 17-15 in their last match while the Bulls beat Leinster 27-26 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Stormers will again be targeting the Bulls at scrum time although the visitors scrum has been steadily improving all season with this being the real test for them. The Bulls have changed their trademark forward dominated play this season and have a much more balanced style of play that has caught many teams off guard. The Stormers too have been playing a more open running game and this is due to Libbok at ten whose attacking game this season has been excellent. Both teams have flyers on the wings and the battle between Madosh Tambwe and Seabelo Senatla promises to be a highlight. I am predicting a Bulls win by 4 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Stormers
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Bulls
15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Izak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Bulls victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 2.20
Playabets 2.23
Sunbet 2.20
Odds comparison on the Bulls handicap:
The complete odds on the Bulls handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+2.5) 1.91
Sunbet (+2.5) 1.89
Playabets (+2.5) 1.81
Predictions and Odds in details
There are many stand out contests in this match but most interesting will be to see the two young flyhalves going up against each other. Libbok is the more attack minded who is always looking to launch his dangerous players like Warrick Gelant and Damian Willemse while Smit is more inclined to kick but also has the ability to get his backline away especially with the in- form Cornal Hendrikse outside of him. The Bulls on the outright win offer great odds but if you looking for a safety bet then I suggest taking them on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+2.5) 1.91, Sunbet (+2.5) 1.89 and Playabets (+2.5) 1.81
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.
