Bulls vs Lions
The traditional Jukskei Derby will see the hosts, the Bulls welcome the Lions to Loftus and both teams will be eager to get their campaigns of to a winning start. The Bulls have been the dominate team winning both Super Rugby Unlocked and the Currie Cup. The Lions are going through a transitional phase having lost a lot of their big name players to overseas clubs. The biggest loss for the Lions was last week when it was announced that their talisman Elton Jantjies is going to France as a medical joker. He was the experienced hand pulling the strings in this youthful Lions team and replacing him will be very difficult. The Bulls don’t have those problems and have recruited very well especially in the forwards and it showed as they dominated all teams in Super Rugby and the Currie cup. The Lions may have lost their experienced flyhalf but the Bulls have the most experienced number 10 in Morne Steyn. He still controls the game with his boot and can also change his tactics once his team is on the front foot. The appointment of Jake White has really transformed the Bulls team into this well-oiled machine. We know with all Jake White managed teams that their forwards would dictate proceedings and the defence will be brilliant. There has also been Cornal Hendricks who transformed himself into the form midfielder in the country along with young players like Kurt-Lee Arendse they are also potent in attack.
TIP: This Bulls team has the makeup of those old dominant teams that opposition were terrified of facing especially at Fort Loftus. The young Lions team will be facing a baptism of fire and will need the experienced players like Willem Alberts and Jannie Du Plessis to guide them through this tough opening encounter. The Bulls have shown they stick to the tried and tested formula of playing for territory and backing their solid defence. They have the best fetcher in Marco van Staden and he is always winning turnovers at the breakdown. Morne Steyn may be moving on in years but still possesses a huge boot and is deadly accurate from the tee. The combination of these factors makes me feel this will be a comfortable victory for the Bulls. The best odds on the Bulls victory are at Worldsportsbetting 1.33, Hollywoodbets 1.30 and Sunbet 1.29
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Bulls vs Lions
- The Bulls have won the last 5 matches between these sides.
- The Bulls have won the last 3 home matches against the Lions.
- The Lions last beat the Bulls in 2018.
Latest results for both teams
The Bulls lost their last match against the sharks 12-45 while the Lions lost their match against the Stormers 12-44.
PREDICTION
The Lions team will need a while to blood the youngsters into top level rugby while the Bulls recruitment drive has seen them scoop experienced and proven match winners. This match somewhat feels like a David and Goliath contest but being the first match the Bulls could take some time to settle in. The player that has shown the most potential and improvement for the Lions has been Wandisile Simelane and his duel in the midfield with Cornal Hendricks will be mouthwatering. The Bulls will have too much power in their forwards and eventually will easily win this contest therefore I predict a Bulls victory by more than 12 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Bulls
15 David Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Lions
15 Tiaan Swanepoel,14 Ngia Selengbe, 13 Wandisile Simelane,12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Courtnall Skosan;10 Fred Zeilinga , 9 André Warner; 8 Francke Horn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jan-Henning Campher, 1 Ruan Dreyer;
Odds for this bet
There are the best odds on the Bulls win:
Worldsportsbetting 1.33
Hollywoodbets 1.30
Sunbet 1.29
Odds comparison on the Bulls handicap victory
The complete odds on the Bulls handicap victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting (-9.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-9.5) 1.87
Hollywoodbets (-8.5) 1.90
Predictions and Odds in details
The Bulls will look to blow the Lions of the park with their brash and robust forward play before laying the platform for their backs to score the tries. The Lions will need to be smart and play the game in the right areas. They are famous for running the ball from anywhere on the field but that tactic won’t work against the Bulls who have a fantastic defensive record. The Bulls don’t deviate from their forward dominated play and although it can seem a tad boring, it produces the desired results. The odds on the Bulls victory don’t offer much to punters therefore I suggest the Bulls on the handicap victory. The best odds on the handicap victory are Worldsportsbetting (-9.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-9.5) 1.87 and Hollywoodbets (-8.5) 1.90
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.