The Springboks will be out for revenge when they take on Australia in Sydney on Saturday and we take a look at the big Rugby Championship match from a betting angle.
Let’s start with a look at the table heading into the weekend when Argentina and Australia are both sitting on 9 points, New Zealand are in 3rd place on 5 and South Africa have only picked up the 4 points they scored in Nelspruit in their opening weekend.
There has been a shake up to the betting with New Zealand, who were 3/10 last week, now 8/11, Australia have come in from 9/1 to 11/4 while South Africa have drifted out to 9/2, Argentina were 30/1 last week, but are now into 12/1.
Click here for Rugby Championship Outright Betting
Australia got their campaign off to a perfect start with a come from behind 41-26 win over Argentina in Argentina. They were then brought back down to earth in a big way going down 48-17 before flying home to play the Springboks. The Boks started as favourites for their match in Adelaide last week, but despite dominating much of the first-half just couldn’t score tries and in the end it was Australia that ran out 25-17 victors with a score line perhaps flattering the Boks in the end.
AUSTRALIAN TEAM
15 Reece Hodge, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 David Porecki, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Jack Gordon, 23 Andrew Kellaway
The Boks as mentioned in the Outright Betting opened their campaign with a victory in Nelspruit over New Zealand by 16 points before going down by 12 points to the All Blacks at The Emirates Stadium where bookmakers had them placed as firm favourites.
Last week they turned in what must be one of their poorest performances in recent years with only 2 late consolation tries getting them anywhere close to the Australians. The Boks have a number of injury issues and have made changes and they will also need to turn in a much improved performance to what we saw last week.
SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Retshegofaditswe Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Albertus Smith, 20 Duane Vermeulen, 21 Jacobus Reinach, 22 Francois Steyn, 23 Warrick Gelant
Australia have an excellent home record against South Africa and aside from last week’s victory they had won both fixtures last season by 13 points and 2 points respectively, both of those games taking place in Brisbane.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Australia 10/11
Draw 25/1
South Africa 21/20
Suggested Bet: South Africa win at 21/20
I am a little bit concerned about this Bok backline, but the pack look formidable and at the end of the day I am expecting them to be fired up after such a disappointing performance last week. It won’t be easy, but a narrow Bok win is my call.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
