Superbru 6: South Africa to win the Rugby Championship?
I’ve picked out another 6 fixtures that look like the highlights of the weekend, and I’m sharing my Superbru picks below.
Last week I managed 5 out of 6, and who would have thought the Springboks would be the only one that didn’t come in?
Here are the games I am focusing on this week. For previews of each individual match this weekend, Superbru Insights are available for the Rugby Championship, URC and now also the Gallagher Premiership to those of you that are Superbru Premium users. You can upgrade here if you like.
There’s likely to be only one winner here, even though the All Blacks’ record in Wellington is surprisingly poor. Probably not as poor as the Wallabies’ form, however, and last week’s final score flattered them. I think this could be a thrashing. Prediction: New Zealand by 23
Bulls v Edinburgh - United Rugby Championship
The Bulls make their first appearance in the URC, and this is not the easiest of starts. Both teams should be gracing the top half of the table this season, but home advantage could be key. The home side has won each of the three previous meetings between these teams, although the Bulls only won by 2 in 2022. It should be more comfortable this time. Prediction: Bulls by 8
South Africa v Argentina - The Rugby Championship
Surely the Springboks will get the job done this time? They missed a late penalty which would have sealed the Rugby Championship title last weekend, but this time with home advantage, I think the World Champions will be too good for the Pumas and add another trophy to the cabinet. Prediction: South Africa by 13
Connacht v Sharks - United Rugby Championship
The Sharks are expected to perform significantly better than last season, but this is a tough opening fixture away in Galway and just a week after the Sharks won the Currie Cup. Connacht don’t lose many at home, and I need to see the Sharks in action before I can start backing them in games like this. Prediction: Connacht by 7
Ospreys v Stormers - United Rugby Championship
The Stormers managed a draw last time they visited Swansea in 2022, and I think they’ll beat them this time. The URC and European style of play is much more familiar, and on paper, the South African side is significantly stronger than the Welsh one. Prediction: Stormers by 9
This is one of the great rivalries in English rugby. The Tigers have had the upper hand in recent years, but Bath’s form has improved significantly to the extent that they are favourites for the title this year. Leicester weren’t as convincing as I thought they’d be against Exeter, whilst Bath were impressive in thrashing Northampton, so I’m going for a narrow away win. Prediction: Bath by 2
Which ones do you disagree with? How many out of 6 do you think I’ll manage this week?
Remember, for match previews of every individual URC and Premiership game this season, upgrade to Superbru Premium to access said previews on the picks pages of both the web and Superbru Rugby app.
Last week I managed 5 out of 6, and who would have thought the Springboks would be the only one that didn’t come in?
Here are the games I am focusing on this week. For previews of each individual match this weekend, Superbru Insights are available for the Rugby Championship, URC and now also the Gallagher Premiership to those of you that are Superbru Premium users. You can upgrade here if you like.
Saturday
New Zealand v Australia - The Rugby ChampionshipThere’s likely to be only one winner here, even though the All Blacks’ record in Wellington is surprisingly poor. Probably not as poor as the Wallabies’ form, however, and last week’s final score flattered them. I think this could be a thrashing. Prediction: New Zealand by 23
Bulls v Edinburgh - United Rugby Championship
The Bulls make their first appearance in the URC, and this is not the easiest of starts. Both teams should be gracing the top half of the table this season, but home advantage could be key. The home side has won each of the three previous meetings between these teams, although the Bulls only won by 2 in 2022. It should be more comfortable this time. Prediction: Bulls by 8
South Africa v Argentina - The Rugby Championship
Surely the Springboks will get the job done this time? They missed a late penalty which would have sealed the Rugby Championship title last weekend, but this time with home advantage, I think the World Champions will be too good for the Pumas and add another trophy to the cabinet. Prediction: South Africa by 13
Connacht v Sharks - United Rugby Championship
The Sharks are expected to perform significantly better than last season, but this is a tough opening fixture away in Galway and just a week after the Sharks won the Currie Cup. Connacht don’t lose many at home, and I need to see the Sharks in action before I can start backing them in games like this. Prediction: Connacht by 7
Ospreys v Stormers - United Rugby Championship
The Stormers managed a draw last time they visited Swansea in 2022, and I think they’ll beat them this time. The URC and European style of play is much more familiar, and on paper, the South African side is significantly stronger than the Welsh one. Prediction: Stormers by 9
Sunday
Leicester v Bath - Gallagher PremiershipThis is one of the great rivalries in English rugby. The Tigers have had the upper hand in recent years, but Bath’s form has improved significantly to the extent that they are favourites for the title this year. Leicester weren’t as convincing as I thought they’d be against Exeter, whilst Bath were impressive in thrashing Northampton, so I’m going for a narrow away win. Prediction: Bath by 2
Which ones do you disagree with? How many out of 6 do you think I’ll manage this week?
Remember, for match previews of every individual URC and Premiership game this season, upgrade to Superbru Premium to access said previews on the picks pages of both the web and Superbru Rugby app.
Superbru on X
There are other No10 options too of course, only 7% picking Libbok with 15% picking Albornoz (averaging over 25 pts when he starts - but at home) but probably as he is bargain $3m compared to $7m for BB & LibBOK. Lolesio is 'The Six Million Dollar Man' picked by 9%. NZ might turn down all but direct kicks in favour of line-outs, whereas Argentina & Aus won't. Arg don't give away many pens - NO CARDS at all so far, so Libbok might not get to 'Exorcise the Ghost of Santiago' but should we really be playing a 'Winter' sport in 35 degree heat in the frst place?