Lions vs Stormers 2023 URC Round 1 Predictions, Odds, Picks and Betting Preview

• The Stormers finished as runners-up in the URC last season, losing to Munster in the final
• The Lions missed the playoffs after finishing ninth in the 2022-23 regular season
• The Stormers are favourites to record the win over the Lions in their league opener

URC is back!

The United Rugby Championship returns this coming Saturday, with the Stormers taking on the Lions in one of the opening fixtures of the 2023-24 season.

Read on as Sports Brief brings you a preview of this Round 1 showdown.

Lions vs. Stormers Betting Preview

Where: Ellis Park, South Africa

When: Saturday, October 21 - 4:05 pm local time

Odds: Lions (+5.5) vs. Stormers (-5.5) - view all lines

Betting on the Lions (+5.5)

The Lions narrowly missed out on a playoff berth last campaign, finishing ninth in the regular season.

They will look to improve on that performance and secure a first-ever appearance in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs this season.

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The road to the postseason won't be easy, though, for the Lions, who lost several key players this past offseason.

Captain Jaco Kriel retired last April, while Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Sti Sithole, Michael van Vuuren, and André Warner moved to other teams, per SA Rugby Magazine.

They did bolster their squad, adding Erich Cronjé, Zander du Plessis, Richard Kriel, Conraad van Vuuren, and Kade Wolhuter to their lineup.

The Lions have won just once in their last five matches against the Stormers.

Betting on the Stormers (-5.5)

The Stormers love playing against their South African rivals. They retained the SA Shield last season after going unbeaten against other teams in the Republic.

They came close to repeating as URC winners last season, but they were denied by Munster in the Grand Final.

They will look to return to that stage this season, and it all starts with their clash against the Lions this coming Saturday.

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The Stormers will be led by lock Salmaan Moerat, who was named the team's new captain for the 2023-24 season.

He is no stranger to this role as he was the first player to captain the DHL Stormers back in 2021 in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Moerat suffered a serious knee injury last December in the Heineken Champions Cup, but has regained full fitness to start the new campaign.

Six new players have joined the Stormers squad this past off-season, including fullback Warrick Gelant, who returned to South Africa after playing one season in France.

Also joining the Stormers' lineup this season are props Lizo Gqoboka and Sti Sithole, wings Ben Loader and Courtnall Skosan, and utility forward Hendre Stassen.

They recorded wins during the preseason against the SWD Eagles and Hollywoodbets Sharks.

Writer's Prediction

Stormers (-5.5) win and cover the spread against the Lions (all odds courtesy of 1XBet).

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2023/24 URC Betting Preview

Sports Brief also previewed the 2023-24 season of the United Rugby Championship.

Leinster have been installed as favourites by bookmakers to win the Grand Final next year.

They topped the table last season but lost to Munster 16-15 in the semi-finals.

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