The action continues on Saturday, 31 May, as the remainder of the United Rugby Championship quarter-final fixtures unfold. With two South African juggernauts and a wounded Leinster side all hosting, the stage is set for a hard-hitting day of knockout rugby. Here’s your comprehensive betting breakdown for Saturday’s triple-header.
Bulls vs Edinburgh
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 15:00 (CAT)
Betting Odds:
- Bulls Win: 2/9
- Draw: 25/1
- Edinburgh Win: 7/2
Preview:
It’s been another strong regular season campaign for Jake White’s Bulls, who finished second on the table for the second consecutive year. With a shot at redemption after last season’s grand final defeat, they’ll be determined to make their home advantage count against an Edinburgh outfit that’s proven dangerous but erratic.
The Bulls are built for playoff rugby. Their power game, set-piece efficiency, and altitude conditioning at Loftus make them overwhelming favourites here. White’s men are also notoriously ruthless when it comes to quarter-final rugby, and they’ll relish the opportunity to shut down the threat of former Bulls assistant Sean Everitt, now guiding the Scottish side.
Edinburgh arrive in Pretoria knowing they’ve pushed the Bulls close before – a narrow 22-16 defeat at this very venue earlier in the season, and a 34-28 Challenge Cup quarter-final win back in April suggest they’re no pushovers. But it’s one thing to keep it tight in round-robin play; it’s another to match the Bulls’ intensity over 80 minutes in a playoff environment.
Key Battle:
Expect a brutal forward confrontation, especially at scrum time where the Bulls’ front row is one of the most dominant in the URC. Edinburgh may stay in the fight early, but sustaining that resistance under the Pretoria sun is a different challenge.
Verdict: Bulls to cover the spread
The home side’s physical dominance and relentless tempo should wear down Edinburgh by the hour mark. Look for the Bulls to pull away late and win comfortably. Take the Bulls on the minus.
Leinster vs Scarlets
Venue: RDS Arena, Dublin
Kick-off: 18:00 (CAT)
Betting Odds:
- Leinster Win: 1/50
- Draw: 40/1
- Scarlets Win: 14/1
Preview:
This one has mismatch written all over it. While Leinster’s barren run without a URC title continues into another season – last lifting the trophy in 2021 – Saturday’s clash looks like a formality.
Leo Cullen is under pressure to deliver silverware with a squad stacked with international talent. Leinster’s recent form has been patchy, but this is still a team capable of blowing sides away when they hit their stride. Scarlets, for all their admirable grit this season, simply aren’t on the same level.
The Welsh side did earn a surprising 35-22 win over a rotated Leinster team in the final round of the regular season, but that victory should come with an asterisk. This time, it’s knockout rugby in Dublin, with a full-strength Irish side and a point to prove.
Key Battle:
This won’t be so much about individual duels as it will be about whether Scarlets can absorb 20 to 30 minutes of Leinster pressure without the game running away from them. Set-piece supremacy, quick ruck speed and territorial dominance will be Leinster’s weapons of choice.
Verdict: Leinster to cruise
Expect the hosts to rack up a big score. Leinster on the minus is the only logical play.
Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Munster
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 21:05 (CAT)
Betting Odds:
- Hollywoodbets Sharks Win: 11/10
- Draw: 20/1
- Munster Win: 8/10
Preview:
The tightest fixture of the quarter-finals sees two inconsistent but dangerous teams square off in Durban. The Hollywoodbets Sharks have put together a strong end to their campaign with four wins on the bounce, and they’ll take confidence from playing this one on home turf.
While their season hasn’t always been pretty, the Sharks have found a way to win when it matters – something few teams can claim in the business end of a competition. Their clash with Scarlets a fortnight ago was messy, but it revealed their grit and ability to close out tight contests.
Munster, meanwhile, have the pedigree – URC champions in 2023 and quarter-finalists in this season’s Champions Cup. But their form has been wildly inconsistent, and their forward pack hasn’t dominated as expected in recent months. If they produce their best, like in that superb La Rochelle quarter-final, they’ll pose a huge challenge. But without a dominant set piece, they could struggle to impose themselves in Durban.
Key Battle:
Can the Sharks control territory and tempo, or will Munster drag them into a tactical grind? If the Sharks stick to basics and play in the right areas, they’ll fancy their chances.
Verdict: Sharks to edge it
This one could go down to the wire, but the Hollywoodbets Sharks have built real belief in recent weeks. Back them at a slight plus or on the board to take it by a narrow margin.