15-05-2021 Daily Predictions Pro14 Rainbow Cup SA Bulls vs Sharks

Bulls vs Sharks

This match promises to be a cracker as the two unbeaten teams clash at Loftus. There is a lot of emotion in this match as the Bulls beat the Sharks in the Currie Cup final although they needed extra time to down the boys from Durban. There are many individual contests like Morne Steyn against Curwin Bosch. These players will be knocking on the Springbok door and this will be a perfect opportunity to impress the national selectors. The Sharks have shown us their willingness to run with the ball and this has been producing the results. The return from injury of Bulls captain Duane Vermeulen has made a massive boost and the Sharks will need to stop him to prevent the Bulls from getting that forward momentum. Another interesting tussle will be between Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi and young gun Marco van Staden. Van Staden has been superb in the two games he has played from his dynamic running to winning penalties at the breakdown. Kolisi is slowly working himself back to full fitness and will be keen to show that nobody is going to dethrone him from that Springbok number 6 jersey. Morne Steyn keeps surprising us with his age defying performances and once again will be the key man for the Bulls. The Sharks love to attack from anywhere and there is no better attacking threat in the country than Aphelele Fassi who seems to glide past defenders. He has added a new dimension to his game and off loads brilliantly in the tackle. The area the Sharks seemed to have a weakness was at scrumhalf as Williams was to slow in clearing the rucks but they have addressed that problem by bringing in Jaden Hendrikse.

TIP:The Bulls have traditionally been very strong in the forwards but they conceded numerous scrum penalties against the Stormers, so probably the Sharks will look to attack their scrum. As with all Jake White coached teams they love playing the territory game and there is nobody better than Morne Steyn to execute this game plan. The Bulls will need to be careful when kicking to the Sharks back three as there is plenty of pace with Fassi, Sbu Nkosi and Yaw Penxe waiting to counter attack. The game will ultimately be decided by the forwards and if the Sharks gain the upper hand then they will cause an upset and win this match. There are great odds on the Sharks victory at: Worldsportsbetting 2.40, Hollywoodbets 2.55 and Sunbet 2.28

HEAD TO HEAD STATS

Bulls vs Sharks

  • In the last six meeting between the teams there have been three wins apiece.
  • The Bulls have only lost once at home to the Sharks in their previous seven home games.
  • The Sharks last won in Pretoria in 2019.

Latest results for both teams

The Bulls won their last match 20-16 against the Stormers while the Sharks won their last match against the Lions 34-26.

PREDICTION

The loose trio of both sides is excellent with the Bulls relying heavily on Duane Vermeulen. He is just returning from injury but showed all his class and power against the Stormers. The Sharks will need to nullify his threat in order to win this contest. The Sharks must choose when to run with the ball as the Bulls are an excellent defensive unit led by Vermeulen. Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am has important role to play in attack and defence as he is the man that decides when to run or kick. His decision making will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this game. I feel the disappointment from the Currie Cup final will drive the Sharks to a tight victory by 4 points

  • Probable Starting XVs

Bulls

15 David Kriel, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen, captain), 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

Sharks

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.

Odds for this bet

The best odds on the Sharks victory are:

Worldsportsbetting 2.40

Hollywoodbets 2.55

Sunbet 2.28

Odds comparison on a Sharks handicaps

The complete odds on the Sharks handicaps are as follows:

Worldsportsbetting (+3.5) 1.90

Sunbet (+3.5) 1.81

Hollywoodbets (+4.5) 1.90

Predictions and Odds in details

This match will show us how much the Sharks have progressed with their new ball in hand approach. They will be facing a team that prides itself on defence and are very confident of their kick and chase tactics. The Sharks can expect an aerial bombardment and if they pass the test they will be well on the way to victory. The Bulls keep things simple but their main attacking weapon is their rolling maul. The Sharks will have to work as a unit to stop this weapon. I think the Sharks showed against the Stormers that they have a good defence when it comes to the rolling maul. The Sharks will hope that their big ball carriers like Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit can knock dents in the Bulls defensive line which will allow the backs the chance to create try scoring opportunities. The safe value bet that I suggest is the Sharks on the handicap. These are the best odds on the Sharks handicap: Worldsportsbetting (+3.5) 1.90, Sunbet (+3.5) 1.81 and Hollywoodbets (+4.5) 1.90

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