South Africa vs Australia
The Springboks take on the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld to kick of the 2023 Rugby Championships. The home team will be looking to go one better than last year when they finished in second spot, just a point behind winners New Zealand. The Wallabies finished in a disappointing third position and will be hoping the reappointment of Eddie Jones as Coach will bring about a change in fortunes. The Springboks have split their squad up for the Championship as they seek to find their best 23 in the lead up to the World Cup later this year.
TIP: Australia have shown that they are going all out for the win in this match as they have selected their strongest possible squad. They have named James Slipper and Michael Hooper as co-captains and its strange that both men play in the forwards. The Springboks have given Manie Libbok his first start in the flyhalf position and will be looking to him to replicate his excellent form from the United Rugby Competition. The bookies have the Springboks as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.35, Gbets 1.31 and Hollywoodbets 1.33
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
South Africa vs Australia
- Australia have won three of the last four matches against the Springboks
- The Boks won 24-8 the last time the two sides met.
Latest results for both teams
South Africa beat England 24-13 in their last match while Australia beat Wales 39-34 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Springboks obvious strength is their pack of forwards and they are although missing some players like Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi they should be too strong for the Aussie pack. The visitors have however recalled giant lock Will Skelton for this competition and he will add bulk to the pack. We could see the home side adopt a more expensive game plan as they have selected an incredibly pacy backline, if Libbok can link his backline then the Wallabies could be in for a long evening. The visitors have taken a risk by starting Quade Cooper as he has not played competitively for the last six months due to injury. I am predicting a home win by more than 10 points
Probable Starting XVs
Springboks
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Australia
15 Tom Wright, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper (co-captain), 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (co-captain)
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Springbok victory are as follows:
Betway 1.35
Gbets 1.31
Hollywoodbets 1.33
Odds comparison on the Springbok handicap:
The complete odds on the Springbok handicap:
Betway 1.90 (-7.5)
Gbets 1.87 (-7.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-7.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are decent returns on the Springbok outright win but if you looking for better odds then we suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (-7.5), Gbets 1.87 (-7.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-7.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
France vs England
New Zealand vs Australia
Georgia vs Wales
Italy vs Fiji
Argentina vs Japan
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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.
