United Rugby Championship Predictions – Round 2

First up from a South African perspective, though, are the coastal sides, who’ll be in action on Friday night. The Stormers welcome the Ospreys to Cape Town, while the Sharks are in Newport for a meeting with the Dragons.

Then it’s time for the Bulls-Leinster showdown on Saturday, with the second round of the cross-hemisphere competition coming to an end in Parma, where the Lions tackle Zebre.

Stormers v Ospreys

Friday, 3 October – 19:00

Boy, did the Stormers make a statement in their tournament opener against Leinster last weekend. Even with a second-string side, the defending champions are normally highly competitive, but not this time, as the Stormers blanked them 35-0.

The respect the Capetonians have for the powerhouse Irish club was clear in how they built their innings, taking their kicks at goal before they cranked up the power and pace and ultimately claimed a full house of log points.

The Ospreys showed how dangerous they can be against the Bulls, leading 12-0 after just six minutes and had the bonus point wrapped up when they led 26-19 at halftime. They were sharp at the breakdown and got away with some dirty tactics, but fell away in the second half.

Given how dominant the Stormers’ set pieces and driving mauls were, and the rock-solid makeup of their defence, John Dobson’s men look set to win big again.

Prediction: Stormers by 19.

Suggested Bet: Stormers -14 at 1.90.

Edinburgh v Ulster

Friday, 3 October – 21:05

Even though their 31-28 defeat to Zebre came away from home last weekend, Edinburgh will be under a bit of pressure as they were expected to beat the Italian outfit. Ulster, in turn, had little trouble dispatching the Dragons 42-21. 

Based on the fight that they showed to get back into the contest in Parma, Edinburgh can definitely turn things around in front of their home fans. I saw enough from Ulster, though, to get a sense that they’ll eke out a victory.

Prediction: Ulster by 1.

Suggested Bet: Ulster at 2.80.

Dragons v Sharks

Friday, 3 October – 21:05

The Sharks couldn’t pull off the big upset over the Warriors in Glasgow last weekend, but one couldn’t fault their hustle.

Missing a host of Springboks, and being further diluted by injuries, the Durbanites put up a solid fight with good attacking intent and superb scrambling, and were only left behind by the hosts in the final quarter, losing 35-19.

Regular scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse exceeded expectations in his first game at flyhalf, a switch necessitated by a pivot crisis with his brother Jordan and Siya Masuku both sidelined, and the pack performed admirably.

They’ll fancy their chances against the Dragons, not only because last season’s wooden spoonists are coming off a 21-point away loss to Ulster, but also given the Sharks have a 100% win record against them.

John Plumtree’s charges have won all five meetings between the teams across the URC and EPCR Challenge Cup, including three away victories (20-19 in 2022, 29-9 and 33-30, both in 2024).

It won’t be easy, but the Sharks have enough quality to continue that streak.

Prediction: Sharks by 3.

Suggested Bet: Dragons +4 at 1.90.

Connacht v Scarlets

Saturday, 4 October – 14:45

After starting the season with a confidence-building 26-15 win over Benetton, Connacht will be looking to continue in that vein against the Scarlets.

The Welsh side didn’t do themselves any favours last weekend, losing 34-21 to Munster on home soil, so they’re up against it. Factor in that Connacht have won the last four meetings between the teams, and the Irish side should be smiling at the end of the 80 minutes.

Prediction: Connacht by 15.

Suggested Bet: Connacht -10 at 1.90.

Bulls v Leinster

Saturday, 4 October – 18:30

The Bulls are out for a measure of payback in Pretoria after Leinster dashed their title dreams with a dominant 32-7 win in last season’s decider in Dublin.

Of course, this will be a completely different Leinster team to the one that won the trophy in that game, but the Bulls will nevertheless be fired up to stick it to Leo Cullen’s charges.

The Johan Ackermann era could not have gotten off to a worse start with the Bulls conceding two early tries against the Ospreys last weekend, but they responded well.

Hampered by defensive deficiencies and a disjointed backline, they wisely went to their power game to finally grab the lead in the 52nd minute, and never looked back to run out comfortable 53-40 winners.

Leinster are in an unfamiliar position as they’re coming off their worst performance since the inception of the URC. The youthful side failed to fire a shot in Cape Town, struggled in the scrums and under the high ball, and their discipline was dreadful.

The Bulls have a lot of work to do on the defensive end, but they should pick up the full five log points against the understrength defending champions.

Prediction: Bulls by 18.

Suggested Bet: Bulls -9 at 1.90.

Benetton v Glasgow Warriors

Saturday, 4 October – 18:30

After failing to push Connacht like they would’ve wanted to on the road last weekend, losing by 11, Benetton will be happy to be back home. However, I don’t see them turning things around against the former champions.

The Warriors did a lot of things well in their 35-19 win over the Sharks last weekend. They were relentless, they bossed the breakdown, their ruck speed was excellent, and their driving maul earned them two of their five tries.

That well-roundedness, and the memory of their shock 33-7 loss on their previous visit to Treviso, will see Glasgow set the record straight.

Prediction: Glasgow Warriors by 7.

Suggested Bet: Glasgow Warriors -3 at 1.90.

Munster v Cardiff

Saturday, 4 October – 20:45

Munster were the only team to register an away win in the opening round, beating the Scarlets 34-21, and they’ll look to make it two from two against Welsh opposition in their first home game.

Cardiff looked super slick when they had all 15 of their players on the pitch, and even though Ben Thomas’ 20-minute red card halted their momentum, they were still emphatic 33-20 winners over the Lions.

Munster are a massive step up for them, though; too big, in fact. Bank on a comfortable win for the Irishmen.  

Prediction: Munster by 14.

Suggested Bet: Munster -12 at 1.90.

Zebre v Lions

Sunday, 5 October – 16:00

The Lions were the most disappointing South African side in the opening round. Rather limp, they lacked punch, afforded Cardiff too much time on the ball, and lost a game many thought they’d had a chance of winning going into it by 13 points.

Zebre, on the other hand, looked very impressive against Edinburgh. The Italians led 28-14 at one stage, something no one saw coming, and even after Edinburgh rallied to level the scores, Zebre were able to get the job done through a late penalty goal.

While both of the sides are exciting, ever-improving Zebre are a well-coached team under Massimo Brunello (who won the Coach of the Season award last term), which is something you can’t say about the Lions. Hence, my money’s on Zebre. 

Prediction: Zebre by 3.

Suggested Bet: Zebre at 2.10.