THE MONEY MAN is putting R1,000 on the Stormers to win by 13 or more points at Newlands.
Two weeks ago, I told you to back my bankers as I have a success rate of over 70%. Our fourth banker in as many weeks came in to give us another profitable week. And at the end of the day, that is what gambling is about: making money.
Hurricanes vs Highlanders
This game is a beauty, but one you should avoid if you're looking to make money this weekend. The bookies have favoured the Hurricanes by 1.5 points, but you really could just toss a coin and it would be as accurate as my guess. The form team has to be the Highlanders, with three impressive victories over the Crusaders, Chiefs and Brumbies. In saying that, the Hurricanes are at home and these sides have met earlier in the season, with the Highlanders winning 17-16. I'm not betting on this game, but if I had to, I'd say Hurricanes by three, simply because they have home-ground advantage.
Waratahs vs Chiefs
Both teams are in decent form, but I think there's value in this game to back the Chiefs. The bookies favour the Chiefs by 3.5 points and they should win by 10 or more. The Chiefs are yet to lose to Aussie opposition, winning all three games against their trans-Tasman rivals by at least 21 points. And the Waratahs are yet to beat a New Zealand team this year. Although the Waratahs have four wins in their last five matches, three of those victories were against South African sides and a very poor Force team. With a R1,500 bet to win R1,350, I'm backing the Chiefs to win by four or more points in Sydney.
Kings vs Jaguares
I won't be betting money on this match for the simple reason that every time I've bet for or against the Kings this year, I've lost. The bookies favour the Jaguares by 19.5 points and for me that seems spot on. I have them to beat the Kings by 20 on SuperBru.
Blues vs Crusaders
The bookies tip the Crusaders to win by nine or more and after watching the Blues' performance against the Force last weekend, you'd be a brave man not to take that bet. Since losing to the Chiefs in round one, the Crusaders have won nine out of 10 matches. With a R500 bet placing, I'm taking the Crusaders to win by nine or more points. It pays R450.
Brumbies vs Sunwolves
The Brumbies are favoured to win by at least 29 points and I think this offer is some value for any Sunwolves fans out there. Over the last four matches, they've been more robust and competitive, winning one, drawing one and losing two. With the exception of the Cheetahs game, where they were blown away, the Sunwolves' biggest losing margin has been 27, against the Stormers. The Brumbies will certainly win this, but with a R500 bet I'm going for the Sunwolves to not lose by 29 or more points. It pays R450.
Stormers vs Cheetahs
The bookies fancy a Stormers win by 13 or more points and in front of Newlands faithful in abundance, I see them winning by at least 15. The Cheetahs are not a good team and the Stormers will be desperate to secure a bonus-point victory before the break. For R1,000, I'm backing the Stormers to win handsomely by 13 or more.
Bulls vs Lions
While the bookies favour the Bulls to win, I think the Lions have been the better side throughout the season. I'm avoiding this game because it is too close to call, but I did pick the Lions to win by three on SuperBru.
Rebels vs Force
The Rebels are rightly favoured to win this Aussie derby by 11 or more and as my banker of this round, I'm putting down R2,000 on them to do just that against what can only be described as a horrific Force team. It's not that the Rebels are that good, the Force are just that bad.
Accumulator
R200 will win you R4,750 but all five bet placings have to win in order for you to collect the payout.
– 9/10 on the Chiefs to beat the Waratahs by four or more points
– 9/10 on the Crusaders to win by nine or more against the Blues
– 9/10 on the Sunwolves to not lose by 29 or more points against the Brumbies
– 9/10 on the Stormers to defeat the Cheetahs by at least 13 points
– 9/10 on the Rebels to beat the Force by 11 or more points
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
