The first action of the 2025 edition of the Rugby Championship comes from Johannesburg on Saturday where South Africa begin their defence of the title with a clash against Australia
South Africa v Australia, Saturday 16th August, Johannesburg, KO 17:10 (South African time)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
Weather Forecast – Johannesburg
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South Africa:
South Africa returned to action with a one off clash against the Barbarians in Cape Town at the end of June and they ran in 8 tries on their way to a 54-7 victory. After that a two match series against a visiting Italian side saw the Boks come out on top 42-24 in the first test and 45-0 in the second. Most recently they beat Georgia 55-10.
The Boks started the 2024 Rugby Championship campaign with back to back wins over the Wallabies in Australia ( 30-12 and 33-7) and then beat the All Blacks in two close games on home turf, coming from behind on both occasions to win 18-12 in Cape Town and 31-27 in Johannesburg. Their only defeat came in Argentina where they went down 29-28 to Los Pumas but a round later they beat the same opposition 48-7 in South Africa to clinch the title.
In the November 2024 internationals in Europe South Africa reeled off wins over Scotland (32-15), England (29-20) and Wales (45-12).
After this South Africa take on Australia again in Cape Town before a double header with the All Blacks in New Zealand. They host Argentina in Round 5 and then take on Los Pumas again in the final round in a game which will be staged at Twickenham.
Australia:
Australia recently concluded their 3 match series against the British and Irish Lions. They lost the first test 27-17 but improved in the second contest despite going down 29-26. Although the series was gone the Wallabies finished it on a high with a 22-12 win on the 2nd August.
The Wallabies 2024 Rugby Championship campaign delivered just the 1 win and 5 defeats and they finished with the wooden spoon. They started that tournament with back to back losses away to the Springboks (33-7 and 30-12) before heading to Argentina where they won (20-19) in Round 3 before suffering a 67-27 hiding a week later. Their final 2 matches saw them edged out 31-28 at home to the All Blacks and they lost the return in New Zealand 33-13.
November 2024 internationals in Europe saw the Wallabies beat England (42-37) and Wales (52-20) before defeats in Scotland (27-13) and Ireland (22-19).
After this Australia take on the Boks again in Cape Town before two home fixtures against Argentina. They travel to New Zealand in Round 5 and then host the All Blacks in the final round.
Recent Head to Head
2024 RC Perth Australia 12–30 South Africa
2024 RC Brisbane Australia 7-33 South Africa
2023 RC Pretoria South Africa 43-12 Australia
2022 RC Sydney Australia 8-24 South Africa
2022 RC Adelaide Australia 25-17 South Africa
2021 RC Brisbane Australia 30-17 South Africa
2021 RC Brisbane Australia 28-26 South Africa
2019 RC Johannesburg South Africa 35-17 Australia
Team News
South Africa – revised: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit , 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Damian Willemse
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Andrew Kellaway
The Betting
South Africa -16.5 points at 9/10
Australia +16.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
BETTING ANGLE
I fancy Australia for a fast start and some betting options I am considering include
1st Half Handicap: Australia +7.5 at 10/11
Australia over 7.5 1st half points at 0.87/1
Half Time/Full Time Australia/South Africa at 5.20/1
To see what I decide on keen an eye on our Rugby Championship Blog which you can view here.
Likewise Currie Cup Week 4 bets will be posted on this blog.
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