Bulls vs Sharks
Two of South Africa’s biggest rivals clash in this local derby. The Bulls welcome the Durban Sharks to their fortress Loftus Versfeld. The Bulls had an excellent 44-22 win over Benetton in their last tour match while the Sharks had their match against Ulster postponed after the Irish team came down with a tummy bug. These teams have been involved in some titanic battles in recent years and this promises to be another. The Sharks are severely depleted as their Springboks are not available while the Bulls are almost at full strength.
TIP: The Bulls will be looking to dominate the Sharks in the forwards as their pack looked in awesome form in the last match. The visitors will sorely miss their national players in the pack but they do have some worthy replacements like Dylan Richardson and Gerbrandt Grobler. There are plenty of great head to head match ups like Richardson up against Springbok Marcell Coetzee. The bookies have the Bulls as favourites but I am tipping the Sharks for the upset win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 3.10, Playabets 3.00 and Sunbet 2.90
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Bulls vs Sharks
- The last four matches between these teams have been split two wins apiece.
- The Bulls have won four of their last five home matches against the Sharks
Latest results for both teams
The Bulls beat Benetton 44-22 in their last match while the Sharks beat Glasgow 40-12 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The home team will be delighted to have their much vaunted midfield combination of Cornal Hendricks and Harold Vorster reunited for the first time this season. They provide the team with the much needed impetus in attack. The Sharks give a debut to number 13 Francois Venter and he will have his work cut out against the Bulls midfield. The Bulls will be tested at scrum time as the Sharks have two Springbok props in their front row. The home team do however have the experience of former Sharks and Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis in their front row. I am backing the Sharks to win a tight match by 4 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Bulls
15 Johan Goosen, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sbu Nkosi, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Bruger, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Marco van Staden, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortjie, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gerhard Steenkamp
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit (c), 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Sharks victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 3.10
Playabets 3.00
Sunbet 2.90
Odds comparison on the Sharks handicap:
The complete odds on the Sharks handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+5.5) 1.90
Playabets (+5.5) 1.88
Sunbet (+5.5) 1.89
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Leinster outright win therefore we suggest the home team on the handicap for better odds. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+5.5) 1.90, Playabets (+5.5) 1.88 and Sunbet (+5.5) 1.89
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.
