France and South Africa meet in a highly anticipated clash in Marseille on Saturday night and we take a look at the game from a betting angle.
France are the 2023 World Cup hosts and last time I checked they were trading as 5/2 favourites to win the Tournament, South Africa are priced around the 5/1 mark and are of course the defending Champions.
FRANCE
France were given a proper scare by Australia last week eventually getting up to win the match 30-29 thanks to a late penalty. In mid-year France beat Japan in both Test Matches and they came through the Six Nations unbeaten with victories over Ireland by 6 and England by 12 points in their home matches.
TEAM
15 Thomas Ramos; 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana; 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain); 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch; 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki; 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Bastien Chalureau, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Matthieu Jalibert
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa lost to Ireland by 3 points in their opening game of the Autumn Nations Series. They actually appeared to be in control of the match for long periods, but failed to capitalise on scoring opportunities and in the end Ireland’s creativity on attack was the difference between the teams.
South Africa’s Rugby Championship campaign a few months back saw them finish runner-up to New Zealand and prior to that they beat Wales 2-1 in a 3 match series in South Africa.
TEAM
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Makazole Mapimpi
HEAD TO HEAD
South Africa have won their last 7 Test Matches against France not losing since November 2009. The last time these sides met was in France in 2018 with South Africa winning 29-26.
BETTING- Click here to bet
France 11/20
Draw 20/1
South Africa 18/10
Handicap: France -13.5
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, France under 12.5 points at 15/10
This should be a close match and the betting looks to be about right. I think the French are going to have a little bit too much for the Springboks and I am backing them for a narrow win.
Suggested Bet: Away Team First Try Scorer, Bongi Mbonambi at 13/2
I think South Africa’s best chance of scoring a try is going to come from their rolling maul and I think that Bongi rates a decent bet at the back of the bus at it rolls over the try line.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
