South Africa vs Tonga
South Africa will want to bounce back from their defeat to Ireland when they take on Tonga in this Pool B encounter. The Springboks should have beaten the Irish but for poor goal kicking that cost them dearly. They have reacted to selecting sharp shooter Handre Pollard at ten and will be hoping that he can show some form after being out injured for several months. Tonga on the other hand will take heart from their showing in the first half of matches. They will want more from their replacements as they have fallen away very badly in the second half of their games.
TIP: The Springboks have made a raft of changes for this match, just as they did after the Scotland match. Captain Siya Kolisi is one of the few players to keep their place from the last match. Tonga have also made a few changes with Semisi Paea coming in at eighth man for the suspended Vaea Fifita after his red card. They also have two new wingers in Fine Inisi and Anzelo Tuitavuki who form a dangerous back three with Salesi Piutau. The bookies have South Africa as favorites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.01, Gbets 1.01 and Hollywoodbets 1.01
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
South Africa vs Tonga
- The only previous match between the sides was won 30-25 by the Springboks.
Latest results for both teams
South Africa lost 13-8 against Ireland in their last match while Tonga lost 45-17 to Scotland last time out.
PREDICTION
The Springboks management team will be eyeing the performance and fitness of Pollard very closely as he could be brought in for the knockout stages. The defending champions will be looking to play a high tempo game with the centre pairing of Canan Moodie and Andre Esterhuizen who are great attacking players. Tonga know that they will be attacked in the set pieces, especially at scrum time therefore they need another big shift from Captain Ben Tameifuna. He has been in sublime form in the tournament and even scored a great try in the last match. I am predicting a Springbok win by 50 points.
Probable Starting XVs
South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Grant Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Ox Nche
Tonga
15 Salesi Piutau, 14 Fine Inisi, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Anzelo Tuitavuki, 10 William Havili, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Semisi Paea, 7 Sione Talitui, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Halaleva Fifita, 3 Ben Tameifuna (c), 2 Paula Ngauamo, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the South Africa victory are as follows:
Betway 1.01
Gbets 1.01
Hollywoodbets 1.01
Odds comparison on the South Africa handicap:
The complete odds on the New Zealand handicap:
Betway 1.90 (-42.5)
Gbets 1.87 (-42.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-42.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There is no money to be made on the South Africa outright win therefore we suggest backing them on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (-42.5), Gbets 1.87 (-42.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-42.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Auckland vs Northland
Waikato vs Canterbury
New Zealand vs Italy
Australia vs Portugal
Manawatu vs Southland
Fiji vs Georgia
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Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.