Investec Champions Cup Predictions – Round 2

The Stormers will be the first South African side in action, with the Capetonians colliding with La Rochelle in Gqeberha earlier in the day, followed by the duel in Durban.

The Bulls, meanwhile, have made their way to England, where they’ll take on last season’s runners-up, the Northampton Saints.

Leicester Tigers v Leinster

Friday, 12 December – 22:00

The Tigers will be a solid test for Leinster. They suffered a 39-20 loss to La Rochelle last weekend, but that was away from home. They’ve won their last nine straight in their own backyard, including a 22-20 victory over Bath.

Leinster haven’t hit top gear yet, but did cruise to a 45-28 win over Harlequins to start their quest for a fifth European crown on a high. Their depth and pedigree should propel them to victory.

History is also on their side, having won all six previous meetings between the sides. 

Prediction: Leinster by 9.

Suggested Bet: Leinster -7 at 1.90.

Stormers v La Rochelle

Saturday, 13 December – 15:00

The Stormers will look to continue their winning ways when they take on the two-time champions in their home away from home.

John Dobson’s men were outstanding out of the blocks last Friday, beating Bayonne 26-17 to make it 7-0 in all competitions this season.

The United Rugby Championship leaders are firing on all cylinders; they’re potent in general and transition attack, play a clever and accurate kicking game and are extremely well connected and committed on defence.

La Rochelle, fresh off their 19-point triumph over the Leicester Tigers, are a complete side in their own right and seeking their third star. They are with many of their heavy hitters, though.

With the roll the Stormers are on, and with them bolstered by Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, bank on the Capetonians to shine.

Prediction: Stormers by 14.

Suggested Bet: La Rochelle +23 at 1.90.

Sharks v Saracens

Saturday, 13 December – 17:15

The underwhelming John Plumtree era came to a premature end last Sunday in France, where an understrength Sharks team were gutsy in their 56-19 defeat to decorated Toulouse.

The Durbanites just couldn’t click under Plumtree, and the plan for the New Zealand-born coach to step aside at the end of the season was changed, with a drained Plumtree himself apparently deciding to hand over the reins after the trip to France.

Former Sharks and Springbok wing JP Pietersen, who guided the Sharks to Currie Cup glory last year, takes over from Plumtree as interim head coach and has a tough opening assignment against the three-time European champions.

Saracens looked as sharp as a razor blade in their 47-10 win over Clermont and will fancy their chances against the out-of-sorts Sharks.

This is a huge game for the Sharks, who should have Siya Kolisi – who recently remarked that the Sharks’ form is “really embarrassing” – and their other Boks back.

This, above all else, is about Sharks players showing what the badge means to them and doing whatever it takes to start this new chapter with a win, which is what I’m tipping them to do as the underdogs.

Prediction: Sharks by 2.

Suggested Bet: Sharks at 2.10.

Clermont v Sale Sharks

Saturday, 13 December – 17:15

Clermont are poised to bounce back from their 47-10 loss to Saracens last weekend.

Back home and back to full-strength, the French team’s physicality up front, reliable set pieces and attacking flair out wide should prove too much for Sale to handle.

The Sharks dropped their home game 26-21 to the Glasgow Warriors last weekend and have lost their last five games on the road, bolstering belief that Clermont should win convincingly.

Prediction: Clermont by 17.

Suggested Bet: Clermont -15 at 1.90.

Bordeaux-Begles v Scarlets

Saturday, 13 December – 19:30

After kicking off their title defence with a statement 46-33 win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last weekend, Bordeaux-Begles will put the struggling Scarlets to the sword.

The only Welsh team in this year’s competition were pipped 17-16 by the Bristol Bears last weekend and their lone win in their last eight games came against a second-string Warriors team.

Prediction: Bordeaux-Begles by 40.

Suggested Bet: Bordeaux-Begles -37 at 1.90.

Munster v Gloucester

Saturday, 13 December – 19:30

This is the perfect opportunity for Munster to get back on track after back-to-back losses. Their 27-21 defeat to the Stormers was the first blemish of their URC season, and was followed by last weekend’s 40-14 loss to Bath.

Gloucester claimed a 34-14 win over Castres last weekend to make it four consecutive victories in all competitions. However, they’ve never beaten Munster and with the Irish side in a menacing mood, they’ll turn back the visitors.

Prediction: Munster by 12.

Suggested Bet: Gloucester +18 at 1.90.

Glasgow Warriors v Toulouse

Saturday, 13 December – 22:00

Glasgow’s five-point away win over Sale last weekend will prove to be super valuable as they’re set to drop this home game. Franco Smith has been doing wonderful things with the Warriors, including steering them to the URC title in 2024.

However, Toulouse are at the very top of the food chain in club rugby. They’ve won an unrivalled six Champions Cup titles and are the joint-tournament favourites along with Leinster.

Given their high standards, the French giants wouldn’t have been all that pleased with their 56-19 opening-round win over the Sharks, particularly with the indifferent third quarter they had.

Thus, expect an improved performance by Antoine Dupont and company.

Prediction: Toulouse by 10.

Suggested Bet: Toulouse -8 at 1.90.

Harlequins v Bayonne

Sunday, 14 December – 15:00

A struggling Harlequins side predictably went down in Dublin last weekend, with vaunted Leinster winning by 17 points. It’s been tough going for ‘Quins, who are now on a four-game losing streak in all competitions, but they should have some joy on Sunday.

Bayonne are the epitome of a home-ground team, so their nine-point loss to the Stormers – which snapped their 10-game winning streak at their fortress – was a massive blow for them. They don’t travel well and the home team have won each of the two encounters between these teams.  

Prediction: Harlequins by 15.

Suggested Bet: Bayonne +22 at 1.90.

Castres v Edinburgh

Sunday, 14 December – 15:00

Teams that got off to contrasting starts collide in this one.

Castres lost 34-14 away to Gloucester, while Edinburgh scored a confidence-boosting 33-20 home win over Toulon.

Castres are the favourites, though, due to the fact that they have home-ground advantage. Edinburgh have won all but one of the games between these teams.

That one? You guessed it, was at Castres, so go with the hosts.

Prediction: Castres by 6.

Suggested Bet: Castres -4 at 1.90.

Toulon v Bath

Sunday, 14 December – 17:15

This will be a blockbuster…if Johann van Graan fields his best Bath team. Triple title winners last season (they won the EPCR Challenge Cup and their two domestic competitions), the English club is up there as one of the best in the world.

They laid down a marker with their 40-14 win over Munster and feel it’s time to finally add a second star to their jerseys.

However, three-time Champions Cup winners Toulon are notoriously tough to topple at home, and after returning from their trip to Edinburgh empty handed, the French side should prevail.

Prediction: Toulon by 3.

Suggested Bet: Toulon -2 at 1.90.

Northampton Saints v Bulls

Sunday, 14 December – 17:15

Things don’t get much easier for the Bulls with the Herd set to face last season’s runners-up a week after going up against the defending champions.

Last weekend’s 46-33 loss underpinned the growing pains the Pretoria outfit is going through under Johan Ackermann. They once again conceded soft tries and their indiscipline sealed their fate.

Ackermann is prioritising next weekend’s URC derby against the Sharks and has thus taken a weakened squad to England. Therefore, expect the Saints to follow up their first-round 35-27 away win over Pau with a dominant victory at home.

Prediction: Northampton Saints by 18.

Suggested Bet: Northampton Saints -15 at 1.90.

Bristol Bears v Pau

Sunday, 14 December – 19:30

Bristol’s 17-16 away win over the Scarlets last weekend was just what they needed to boost their confidence on the European stage. Pau, meanwhile, suffered a 35-27 home loss to the Saints. Given that lost, the French club are expected to field a weakened team, so the Bears should bounce back.

Prediction: Bristol Bears by 11.

Suggested Bet: Pau +18 at 1.90.