Stormers vs British & Irish Lions Preview & Tips - Tourists backed in handicap market

The B+I Lions have been dominant against provincial sides thus far. Tha that is backed to continue with the Lions to win by more than 37 points.

When these two sides met in 2009 the B+I Lions won 26-23 at Newlands.

The Stormers, who play as Western Province in the Currie Cup, are currently top of the table. They have played four matches, won two and lost two but gained bonus points in both defeats.

After a convincing 48-24 win over the Bulls, the Stormers lost 38-32 at the Lions. They bounced back to win 32-31 at home to the Sharks but then lost their last match 30-28 to Griquas.

Ernst van Rhyn will captain the Stormers outfit. They have picked their strongest possible lineup with former sevens star, Seabelo Senatla on the wing.

No Springbok players are available to the Stormers.

The British & Irish Lions have shown great form since their 28-10 victory over Japan before departing for South Africa.

They beat the South African Lions 56-14 in their first tour match before playing the Sharks twice. The first match saw the tourists win 54-14 but the Sharks put up more of a fight in the second match. Unfortunately a Sharks red card resulted in the B+I Lions cruising to a 71-31 win.

The concern would have been that those three matches were against weakened provincial sides so Warren Gatland would not have known how well his side really is playing. Their last match provided that ultimate test as they came up against the South Africa A side.

South Africa A won 17-13 but it must be noted that there were about nine certain starters for the Springboks in that side. It was a precursor to the Test series which promises to be very tight.

Alun Wun Jones has joined the touring party after originally being ruled out. He will feature off the bench in this match.

This is the final match before the Test series gets underway next weekend. Gatland has selected Stuart Hogg and fullback with Elliot Daly continuing at centre. Up front Jack Conan, Hamish Watson and Tadhg Beirne fill the loose forwards.