Springboks vs All Blacks
South Africa and NZ kick off this year’s Rugby Champs as the Boks welcome the All Blacks to Nelspruit. The home team are in buoyant mood after their series win against Wales while the visitors are in serious problems after losing a home series against Ireland. The Springboks for the first time in many years are starting the match as favourites against the All Blacks and it remains to be seen how they handle the pressure.
TIP: The home team will again rely on their powerful pack to steer them to victory while the visitors know that in order to win this match their scrum in particular will need to face up to the Boks front row. The bookies have the Springboks as favorites but I’m tipping NZ for the upset win: Worldsportsbetting 2.25, Playabets 2.25 and Sunbet 2.20
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Springboks vs All Blacks
- The Boks have only won of their last five matches against the All Blacks.
- The Boks won the last match between the sides 31-29
Latest results for both teams
South Africa beat Wales 30-14 in their last match while NZ lost 32-22 against Ireland in their last match.
PREDICTION
This may the opening match of the competition but the winner will then be favourites to lift the title as these two teams are much stronger than Australia or Argentina. The home team will stick to their tried and tested formula of kicking to the opposition and backing their defence. The All Blacks will be wounded and this will make them very dangerous especially with players like Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke in the backline. I am predicting an All Blacks win by seven points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Springboks
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Trevor Nyakane
New Zealand
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 David Havili, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 George Bower
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the All Blacks victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 2.25
Playabets 2.25
Sunbet 2.20
Odds comparison on the All Blacks handicap:
The complete odds on the Wales handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+2.5) 1.91
Playabets (+2.5) 1.81
Sunbet ( +2.5) 1.80
Predictions and Odds in details
There are great odds on the All Blacks upset win but if you are looking for a safety bet then I suggest taking them on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 2.25, Playabets 2.25 and Sunbet 2.20
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.
