United Rugby Championship Final Prediction

The Stormers will seek to give captain Steven Kitshoff the perfect send-off when they meet Munster in the United Rugby Championship final at a sold-out Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (18:30 kick-off), writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The defending champions have dazzled on their way to securing a second successive home final, playing with a swagger, unlike the rest of the South African sides.

The Capetonians do it their way, backing themselves and playing an enterprising brand of rugby built on strong structures and fundamentals. They refuse to be put in a box, trading predictability for panache whilst appreciating the need to play in the right areas of the field. 

This recipe for success was highlighted in their 43-25 semi-final win over Connacht and has put them one step away from claiming back-to-back championships. If they pull it off, it’ll be a fitting farewell to their colossal captain Kitshoff, who ends a legendary career at the Stormers to take up a contract with Ulster next season. 

Munster plan on spoiling the party, something they’ve made a habit of this season. The Irish outfit ended the Stormers’ 21-match unbeaten home run on their last visit to the Mother City in April, coming away with a surprise 26-24 win, and knocked out the Glasgow Warriors (14-5) and Leinster (16-15) in front of their home fans in the quarter and semi-finals respectively to punch their ticket to the decider.  

They’ve proven through their playoff heroics that they’re undaunted by big occasions and playing away from home. Steeled by unshaken belief, Munster have managed to find comfort in uncomfortable situations…clarity in the chaos of partisan crowds calling for their downfall. 

Defence wins championships and that’s what Munster’s playoff roadshow has been based on. They’ve been brutally resolute, making ball carriers pay with their muscle and mongrel. Structurally, they’re watertight, but the added grit they’ve developed in the playoffs has taken their D to the next level.

They’re a good attacking side as well, operating at a high pace and building continuity through offloads, although they don’t have the flair of the Stormers. Lastly, Graham Rowntree’s men are extremely fit, which allows them to push the tempo for the full 80 minutes.

As exhilarating as the Stormers are on attack, they’re a complete side. They showed they can play a tactical, territory-based game in the 33-21 quarter-final win over the Bulls and are organised on defence. Their world-class scrum and solid lineout not only provide a good platform but are launch pads to attack from and they should have a slight edge in these departments. 

Munster will make it a proper final, a tight, physically intense battle as they look to end a 12-year trophy drought, but John Dobson’s charges should come out on top by sticking to their guns, i.e. coming out with fire and intent, being tactically sound, constantly threatening and backing their skills.  

Suggested Bet: Stormers -5.5 at 1.73.