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United Rugby Championship predictions and fixture times for Saturday 9 April 2022

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The United Rugby Championship serves up a hat-trick of derbies this weekend, as South Africa’s four leading rugby franchises do battle on home turf.

It’s an introduction for Northern Hemisphere fans to the North – South derby between the Stormers and Bulls, who collide in Cape Town on Saturday, while Kings Park hosts the clash between the Sharks and Lions.

Cardiff and Llanelli Scarlets also go head-to-head in their rival clash in the Welsh capital.

Stormers vs Bulls

An almighty United Rugby Championship collision pits South Africa’s Stormers against the Bulls at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

It’s the nation’s most heavy duty derby and there’s plenty more than pride to play for between the pair, who are separated by just one point and a single place in the URC table as they battle for knockout action later in the year.

The men from the Cape have home advantage, as well as the edge in the standings, having seen off the Ospreys 29-13 last weekend, despite the Welsh side being able to call up a host of their Welsh internationals.

Ulster were 34-16 victims to Jake White’s Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, meanwhile, also putting themselves in prime position for a late crack at the top four in the competition’s maiden season.

Saturday 9 April, kick off 14:00 SAST.

Sharks vs Lions

The second South African derby of the day sees the Sharks play the Lions at Kings Park in the United Rugby Championship.

It’s the visitors from Johannesburg that are staring at an uphill task, sitting 11 points adrift of their eighth-placed hosts in the URC standings as the sharp end of the season comes into view.

Both were winners against European opposition on home turf last time out.

The Sharks hit back in fine style following a rain-sodden defeat the previous week, thumping the Dragons 51-3 in Durban to keep pace with fellow South Africans the Stormers and Sharks in the upper reaches of the table.

A precious 15-9 victory was also the result of the Lions’ efforts at Ellis Park, as they dispatched an Edinburgh side that must have gone deep into their reserves in their Kings Park success a week earlier.

Saturday 9 April, kick off 16:05 SAST.

Cardiff vs Llanelli Scarlets

There’s a Welsh derby to be had in the United Rugby Championship this weekend, as Cardiff and Llanelli Scarlets complete a trio of Saturday fixtures.

The pair meet in the Welsh capital for what is a bottom half battle in the URC standings.

A place in the top half come the final reckoning is not beyond the visitors, who make the short trip with 32 points in the bag, while their hosts sit 14th with just the Dragons and Zebre below them.

It’s also the reverse fixture from a week ago, when Scarlets ran out 35-20 winners in Llanelli to extend their advantage over their countrymen.

Saturday 9 April, kick off 16:10 SAST.

Chance of winning (%)Points margin
Stormers42
Bulls556
Chance of winning (%)Points margin
Sharks7414
Lions26
Chance of winning (%)Points margin
Cardiff37
Scarlets591