Connacht v Stormers tips: Connacht can cover in Galway
Connacht -4.5 @1.88 at Betway is our pick. They beat the Stormers 33-24 in South Africa last season and now host a side missing Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach.
Key takeaways
- Our pick: Connacht -4.5 @1.88.
- Previous meeting: Connacht won 33-24 away in April.
- Kick-off: Friday, 25 September 2026, 20:45 SAST, Dexcom Stadium.
Connacht v Stormers betting table
| Selection | Market | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connacht -4.5 | Handicap | @1.88 | Betway |
Betway SA odds: 22 September 2026, 22:47-22:54 SAST.
Connacht have already won this matchup away
Connacht’s nine-point win in April is the strongest reason to back them in Galway. They do not need a dramatic improvement on that result to cover a four-and-a-half-point line at home.
Stuart Lancaster begins his second season with the province. The Stormers’ own preparation has focused on Connacht’s willingness to keep the ball through long passages, with discipline and tackle accuracy prominent concerns.
That makes the absences from the Stormers’ backline significant. Willemse, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Reinach are not available for this opener, removing three players who can change a match through individual attacking contributions.
Ruhan Nel leads a changed Stormers group
Ruhan Nel captains the tourists, with Wandisile Simelane, Jonathan Roche and other midfield options competing around him. Ben-Jason Dixon has also been dealing with concussion symptoms during the build-up.
The Stormers have travelled to Ireland early, giving the squad preparation time before Friday’s game. We are not treating the trip itself as a reason to oppose them.
The concern is the combination of missing internationals and the previous result. Connacht beat them by nine in South Africa; the Stormers now have to reverse that outcome away with important backline players absent.
Four and a half is a manageable line
Connacht are @1.51 to win outright. We prefer -4.5 @1.88 because the nine-point April margin and the Stormers’ absences support more than a one-score scramble at the finish.
Nel’s experience is an asset for the visitors, but Connacht have the more convincing case at Dexcom Stadium.
Verdict
Back Connacht -4.5 @1.88 at Betway. Their April win and the Stormers’ missing playmakers are enough to favour the hosts by at least five points.