Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
We have an action-packed weekend of rugby to look forward to over the next few days as the Champions Cup gets underway.
After Friday night’s game at The Rec, attention will turn to Durban when Exeter Chiefs travel to South Africa to take on the Hollywoodbet Sharks.
Rob Baxter’s side face a tough challenge ahead as they prepare to face South Africa. It looks like an attractive competition with lots of interesting betting options.
shark
After a disappointing season last year, the Sharks only qualified for this competition with a strong Challenge Cup campaign.
The Sharks currently sit sixth in the URC and appear to be a much improved team as they aim for a strong performance in that competition later in the season.
The clearest indication of their improvement is the number of points they have scored this year compared to last season.
On average, South African teams have scored 28 points per game since the start of the season. Compared to last year, 2019, a clear difference is noticeable.
Their ability to win clashes has been a real positive for the team. They lead URC with a dominant 21 carries and an average distance after contact of 126 meters.
Among these are many people of outstanding talent. The first player that comes to mind is Siya Kolisi. His leadership and skills on the pitch will be crucial to the team’s success in this competition.
Front row Ox Nche is arguably the best prop in the game today and his physical presence is evident every time he is on the field.
In the backline, Makazole Mapimpi is an exciting winger with an undeniable nose for the try line. The Sharks will be confident about a strong start to their Champions Cup campaign and will be aiming for a dominant display against Exeter.
Exeter Chiefs
With no English club yet to win the Gallagher Premiership, it is no exaggeration to say that Chiefs have seen better days.
But the young side will take plenty of confidence from their resilient display against league leaders Bath at The Rec last time out.
From a statistician’s perspective, Exeter’s numbers don’t look great – just 139 points and 18 tries. It would take a huge change from the Chiefs to cause massive disruption in Durban.
If Baxter wants to perform well in South Africa, all his key players will need to step up.
A name that stands out on the team sheet is Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, a phenomenal winger who can deliver moments of magic in an instant.
His combination of strength, size, and physicality makes him a handful on any defense. On the blindside flank, Ethan Roots will have an impact on the game and put in a solid display against South African opposition.
There is plenty of firepower on the bench and they will be looking to make an impact on the contest when Christ Tshiunza and Ross Vintcent join the fray.
Exeter face a difficult challenge this weekend, but they will be aiming to shock the rugby world and kick off the campaign with a win.
bet
There are some interesting betting options to consider for this game. The best bet is for the Sharks to win by 15 points or more.
The quality of the squad and the fact that Exeter are resting key players such as Henry Slade suggests a big win for the Sharks could be in the cards.
Sticking with the idea of a handicap, a Sharks win by more than 17 points could be a valuable option as it looks like a comfortable win for the South African club.
For those who like long shots, a Sharks win by 29 points or more is an intriguing possibility as the home team looks to put on a show in front of their fans.
Best bet: Sharks win by 15 or more points – 8/15
Value Bet: Sharks Win by 17 or More Points – 10/11
Longshot Bet: Sharks Win 29 – Over 4/1
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