Australia vs South Africa
Australia and South Africa come into this match with contrasting fortunes with the Aussies having lost three matches on the trot against New Zealand. South Africa on the other hand has just won a series against the British & Irish Lions and then convincingly beat Argentina on consecutive weekends. The Australians were mediocre in their matches against the All Blacks with countless errors making it impossible to win. They conceded five intercept tries and the chief culprit Noah Lolesio has been dropped. The Aussies seem desperate and have recalled Quade Cooper at flyhalf although he hasn’t played international rugby for the last four years. The home team will be facing the Springboks who will naturally target Cooper as he has a reputation of being weak in the tackle. The Boks love the physical game and they will use their big forwards to run at the Aussies for eighty minutes. The Boks have a simple game plan that works and the Aussies will need to front up in defence otherwise the Boks will run them over.
TIP: The Boks welcome back two key players in powerhouse number 8 Duane Vermeulen and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk. This makes an already strong team even stronger and the Aussies know that the Boks will test their physicality to the limits. The Boks will look to their forwards to win them the match by using their scrum dominance to gain penalties. The Aussies will also need to find a way to combat the Boks biggest weapon, their driving maul. The selection of Cooper tells me that they intend on playing a high tempo game but this will only be possible if they get quick ball from their forwards. The Boks will make this very difficult as they will fiercely contest at the breakdown. Players like Vermeulen and Lukhanyo Am are excellent at gaining turnovers so the Aussies need to protect the ball. The bookies have the Springboks as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the victory. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.28, Playabets 1.19 and Sunbet 1.25
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Australia vs South Africa
- In the last five matches between these teams there have been two Springbok wins with two draws and a lone Aussie win.
- There has been just one away win in the last 13 meetings between these teams.
- The last time South Africa won in Australia was in 2013.
Latest results for both teams
Australia lost 38-21 to New Zealand in their last match while the Springboks won 29-10 against Argentina.
PREDICTION
This match will ultimately come down to the attack of Australia verse the world class defence of the Springboks. Its makes for great viewing and I cannot see the home teams attack getting through the best defence in world rugby. They will need to get players like Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi more into the game as these are world class performers who are capable of unlocking defenses. This will depend on the Aussies getting clean and quick ball but the Springboks will target the lineouts especially with Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth who are great at stealing opposition ball. The biggest mismatch and the area that will win the game for the Boks will be their scrum. They have the strongest front row in the game and the Aussies will feel the heat from the first whistle. Its baffling that the home team does not start Taniela Tupou as many feel he is their best prop but he comes on when the game is over. The overall experience and class makes me predict an comfortable victory for the Boks by more than 12 points
- Probable Starting XVs
South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Australia
15 Tom Banks, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachie Swinton, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Springboks victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.28
Playabets 1.19
Sunbet 1.25
Odds comparison on the Springbok handicap victory :
The complete odds on the Bulls handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-10.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-10.5) 1.90
Playabets (-10.5) 1.82
Predictions and Odds in details
The Springboks will want to rectify their record in Australia as they have only won once there in 7 years. The Aussies will be buoyed by their home supporters while the Springboks have not played in front of a crowd since the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final. The Springboks will look to gain an early lead as they will force the Aussies into chasing the game and this is when they are most error prone. The Aussies will again look to skipper Michael Hooper for inspiration and he has been the outstanding player thus far even though he has been on the losing side. His battle with Franco Mostert will be one of the highlights as both men love the contact and do the hard work for their teams. The Boks may be a forward dominated team but they have world class finishers in Makazole Mapimpi and Willie Le Roux. If they are given space then they can create havoc for the opposition. The bookies offer poor returns on the outright Springbok win therefore the value bet is the Boks on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-10.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-10.5) 1.90 and Playabets (-10.5) 1.82
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.
