Cape Town - The Lions are South Africa's best bet at Super Rugby glory in 2017, if local bookmakers are to be believed.
With the tournament starting on Thursday, local bookmakers Sportingbet.co.za are offering odds on which team they believe will fare best this year.
The Hurricanes have been installed as 7/2 favourites to defend their title.
They are followed by another two Kiwi teams - the Chiefs and Highlanders - who can be backed as 6/1 for overall victory.
The Lions, who lost last year’s final to the Hurricanes in Wellington, are next, alongside the Crusaders at 13/2.
The Stormers are viewed as South Africa’s second best bet at 18/1, followed by the Sharks (20/1), Bulls (28/1), Cheetahs 33/1 and rank outsiders the Southern Kings (1 000/1).
Odds for outright Super Rugby winner:
Hurricanes - 7/2
Chiefs - 6/1
Highlanders - 6/1
Crusaders - 13/2
Lions - 13/2
Brumbies - 16/1
Stormers - 18/1
Blues - 20/1
Sharks - 20/1
Waratahs - 20/1
Bulls - 28/1
Jaguares - 28/1
Cheetahs - 33/1
Reds - 40/1
Melbourne Rebels - 66/1
Western Force - 250/1
Southern Kings - 1 000/1
Sunwolves - 1 000/1
I GUESS THE BOOKIES HAD TO TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF THE EFFECT OF BENT DOWN UNDER REFS!!!!
