The South African Conference has a tricky look to it and while the Stormers are favourites punting sentiment appears to be leaning towards the Sharks.

This Conference is going to be very tough to win and while the bookies have made the Lions and the Cheetahs bit players there is no doubt they are capable of beating any of their local rivals on their day and it is not impossible they could contend themselves.

BETTING

Stormers 17/10 at Voltbet

Sharks 11/4 at Sportingbet

Bulls 9/2 at Sportingbet

Lions 12/1 at Voltbet

Cheetahs 16/1 at Voltbet and Hollywood

The Sharks are under 2/1 in places and when I first researched the betting there was some 3/1 on offer at Sportingbet but that has clearly been nibbled at although 11/4 remains a standout price.

BETTING ANGLE

As with the Australian Conference I have found myself going backwards and forwards with my selection but with the tournament starting later this week it is time to put my money where my mouth is.

The Stormers are top of the boards but I am not convinced that they have sorted their pack problems out and a few of their Boks have proved injury prone of late and I would not be surprised to see a few of them watching from the sidelines as the season progresses. I would not discount them altogether but I don’t rate them as value on current prices.

The Sharks were probably the first team I wrote off but the more I look at it the more I like them. They have a pretty tough start with plenty of away matches but conditions are such in Durban at this time of the year that perhaps the less time spent there the better? I was very worried about their centre combination but I like the way Plumtree is thinking with Pietersen getting a run at outside centre and Whitehead could prove a very good acquisition at 12. The pack should front up well against anyone despite the loss of the Beast and at 11/4 I would say they are a good betting proposition.

The Bulls are hard to read but bottom line for me is that they must pay the price for the loss of so many stars and while some of the youngsters look impressive I believe they will be exposed when the going gets tough.

The Cheetahs have hung onto Smith and Brussow but you have to wander how many matches any of those injury prone warriors will play and the loss of Viljoen and especially Pretorius is massive. I can see a few upsets results but I don’t see them making the playoffs.

That leaves the Lions who I still have fond memories about from the Currie Cup. Mitchell has worked wonders with the squad and while this is a big step up I expect them to have a good season. The challenge for Mitchell will be bringing and keeping them at the fitness levels they reached late last year which I believe was a massive factor in their success – they simply played teams off the park. Depth could well be an issue but at 12/1 I am willing to throw a couple of units therir way.

BET: 4 units Sharks top SA Conference at 11/4 with Sportingbet (I would have gone bigger but have another bet involving the Sharks which I will share on Goodforthegame this week)

BET: 2 units Lions top SA Conference at 12/1 with Voltbet

Stay close to Goodforthegame as we build up to the Super Rugby season with long term previews including a look at the exotic markets later this week. We will of course be previewing each and every match from a betting perspective with eager punters discussing the odds in our forum.

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