Rugby
Stormers vs Benetton Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: Saturday 26 April Venue: Cape Town Stadium Kickoff Time: 17:15 (UK Time) The Stormers have managed to put together a few positive performances and now find themselves in a strong position to finish inside the top eight. The Cape Town side have played impressive rugby at times this season, but they will know there is no such thing as an easy encounter in the URC. For Benetton, a trip to South Africa has already seen them take points from the Lions and they will be brimming with confidence at the prospect of two from two. Fans following the action might also want to take advantage of a free welcome bonus to add extra excitement to the weekend’s fixtures
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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu of DHL Stormers//Getty Images
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
The South African visitors come into this game as the early favourites.
Stormers: 1/5 (1.2) – 83%
Benetton: 37/10 (4.7) – 17%
Head-To-Head Record
Last three meetings
11/11/2023: Benetton 20–17 Stormers
21/04/2023: Stormers 38-22 Benetton
25/09/2021: Benetton 22–18 Stormers
Stormers Current Form – WLWWL
John Dobson finds himself in a really tough, but wonderful position. The return of some of the bigger names for the Cape Town side has given the boss a selection headache. They would have been buoyed with their win over Connacht last time out and given their quest for playoff contention – another big home performance must be necessitated.
It will be interesting to see whether he is able to accommodate Salmaan Moerat, Warrick Gelant and Damian Willemse once again here. Their ability and experience is outstanding and there is no question they make the side better.
Key Players to Watch
- Ben Loader: The winger has consistently showed his finishing ability in a Stormers jersey. He is a strong ball carrier and provides incredible attacking spark to an already pacey and direct rugby side. Keep an eye on him here.
- Ruben van Heerden: He has been patchy at times for the Stormers, but his tireless tackling ability and disruptive nature doesn’t allow opponents to ensure they have a sufficient attacking threat. He will be important for the Stormers throughout this phase of the season.
- Damian Willemse: He is simply an attacking ace and showcases extreme versatility throughout their outside backs. His high energy levels and creativity make him a player difficult to contain and incredibly dangerous to defend against.
Benetton Form – WLWWL
Benetton is a side you write off at your peril this season. They have had incredible moments and in a sense, their unpredictable nature makes them an even more difficult side to contend with.
They come into this game with a great degree of momentum after beating the Lions last week in Johannesburg and when you add that to the fact that their Champions Cup performances have also been inspiring, this could be a tricky game for the Stormers.
Key Players to Watch
- Onisi Ratave: A consistent finisher and strong offensive-minded winger, Ratave is a dangerous player, and one Benetton will be hoping brings his best to the Cape Town Stadium. Keep an eye on him here.
- Rhyno Smith: He has contributed significantly to the attacking prowess of the visitors and through his ever-reliable kicking boot, won his team matches. His stability and experience combine to give the outside backs a great example and platform to play from.
- Gianmarco Lucchesi: The Benetton hooker has showed his strength and willingness to finish off set pieces week in and week out. He has played a vital role in their attacking efforts but he is also a forward who is so mobile and dynamic in his approach.
Suggested Bets
These are our suggested bets ahead of this URC clash.
Stormers (Win): It won’t allow you to retire, but a banker this weekend could be the home win. 1/5 (1.2) with Betway.
Stormers (-5.5): The hosts should cover the game handicap with a degree of ease, get on!. 6/10 (1.6) with Hollywoodbets.
Value Bets
For those looking for a little more value
Winning Margin (Stormers by 15+): The hosts should have too much for their visitors in every area of the pitch. Add to this the fact that they have so many internationals available, and you can’t see past a convincing home win. 12/10 (2.2) with Supabets.
Over 55.5 Points: Back an exciting and open affair here. These two teams will have no choice but to have a go, and that could translate into an absolute festival of points. 1/1 (2.0) with 10Bet.
Prediction: Stormers to Win
The home win should be a banker. The Stormers will know they have no choice but to go for it and give themselves the best opportunity to secure playoff rugby next season. They have the team, they have home advantage and we think they win this.
A quirky writer with an engaging tone, Ryan Liberty has seen his work published on many of South Africa’s sport’s publications. Ryan has a great passion for everything in the sporting world, from darts to football, motorsport and everything in between. His conversational flair allows him to bring diverse sporting topics to both the avid sports fan as well as the relaxed reader.