The Stormers are bidding to keep up the pressure towards the top of the United Rugby Championship standings when they face Connacht in Cape Town on Saturday.
Stormers v Connacht, Saturday 18th April, Cape Town, KO 13:45 (South African time)
Referee: tbc
Assistant Referees: tbc
TMO: tbc
Weather Forecast – Cape Town
Stormers:
The Stormers most recent action came in the Champions Cup Round of 16 away to Toulon and they were edged out 28-27 leaving them with the URC as the sole focus.
After 14 rounds of matches for all teams the Stormers are second on the log and their record now comprises of 11 wins and 3 defeats for 51 log points. That puts them 4 points behind the leaders Glasgow Warriors and 4 ahead of third placed Ulster with Leinster a further point back in fourth.
After reeling off 8 straight wins at the start of the campaign the Stormers lost their next 3 games. They have since won their last 3 games, beating the Bulls 32-19 at Loftus followed by home wins over the Dragons (29-21) and Edinburgh (33-14). In earlier matches against Irish opposition the Stormers beat Leinster 35-0 in the opening round in Cape Town and in Round 6 they beat Munster away from home 27-21.
The Stormers still have 1 more home game in the regular season with Glasgow due here before they finish up overseas at Ulster and Cardiff.
In the outright betting to win the URC title the Stormers are now 5/1 third favourites with Hollywoodbets with Leinster topping the boards at 12/10 and Glasgow Warriors are 3/1.
Connacht:
Connacht were involved in the Challenge Cup earlier this month and in the Round of 16 they beat the Sharks 29-12 in Galway but they exited the competition in the quarter final stage with a 45-22 defeat away to Montpellier.
In the URC Connacht are in ninth position with 39 log points and a record of 7 wins and 7 defeats are they are just 1 point behind the Bulls who are currently in eighth, the last of the play off places. They have put together a 5 match winning streak through February and March which includes a home win over log leaders Glasgow Warriors (15-10) and a derby victory away to third placed Ulster (26-19).
In earlier matches against South African opposition Connacht lost at home to the Bulls 28-27 in Round 4 but beat the Sharks 44-17 in Galway in Round 6.
After this Connacht head to Johannesburg for a clash with the Lions before returning to Ireland for a home derby with Munster and finally a visit to Edinburgh.
In the outright betting to win the URC title Connacht are 66/1 shots with Hollywoodbets
Team News
Stormers: tbc
Connacht: tbc
The Betting,
Average early show
Stormers -20.5 points at 9/10
Connacht +20.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
To follow
Bets: To follow
Tips and more news and betting angles for Round 15 of the URC will be available on Brent Graham's betting blog which is available here.
Plays for Round 10 of Super Rugby will be available here.
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