South Africa vs Argentina
This is the start of the Rugby Championship for both these teams and they will be coming into this match with contrasting emotions. The Springboks will be on a high after beating the British & Irish Lions while the Pumas will be well rested after beating an under strength Welsh team a month ago. The Pumas have a very strong squad lead by probably the best loose trio in the game of Rodrigo Bruni, Facundo Isa and Pablo Matera. The Springboks defence needs to be solid as all three players are excellent, powerful runners. The likes of Kwagga Smith and Siya Kolisi will have their hands full trying to contain these players. The Springboks will stick to their tried and tested formula of dominating with their forwards and they will be targeting the scrum as the Pumas don’t have the strongest front row. The home team will also use their other strength which is the rolling maul and the Pumas will need to find a way to nullify this threat otherwise the South Africans will maul them to defeat.
TIP: This South African team shows 12 changes from the team that beat the Lions but it is still a very strong team especially with Captain Kolisi and the enforcer Eben Etzebeth still in the team. The selection of Elton Jantjies obviously raised many eyebrows but he has undoubted class and I think in this match he will show his class. His opposite number Nicolás Sánchez is world class and he will look to spark the backline that includes speedster Bautista Delguy and powerful centre Santiago Chocobares. This match as many tests are will be decided in the forwards and the Springboks certainly have the edge in this department especially at scrum time. They also possess an even stronger front row coming off the bench and this will ensure victory for them. The bookies have the Boks as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.30, Gbets 1.26 and Sunbet 1.29
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
South Africa vs Argentina
- In the last five matches there have been four Bok wins and one for Argentina.
- The Springboks have only ever lost once to Argentina while playing at home.
- The last time the Springboks lost at home to Argentina was in 2015.
Latest results for both teams
The Springboks won their last match against the British & Irish Lions 19-16 while Argentina beat 33-11.
PREDICTION
Argentina biggest Achilles heel has been their discipline and if they want to win this game they must improve their discipline. The Springboks will look to play a more expansive game than they did against the Lions which will give opportunities to players like Aphelele Fassi and Sbu Nkosi who have pace and power to burn. The Pumas also have a dangerous back line and will look to Sánchez to link the forwards and backs. Argentina is one of the best sides on attack as they have great interplay between the backs and forwards. The Boks will to stop the Pumas from getting quick ball at the rucks as this is when they are most dangerous. I feel the power of the Springbok scrum and mauls will eventually wear the Pumas out and the home team’s replacements will win the match in the last 20 minutes. I predict a Springbok win by more than 10 points
- Probable Starting XVs
South Africa
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nché
Argentina
15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Santiago Chocobares, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Matías Moroni, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Facundo Isa, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Marcos Kremer, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Springbok victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.30
Gbets 1.26
Sunbet 1.29
Odds comparison on the Springbok handicap victory :
The complete odds on the Springbok handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-8.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-8.5) 1.88
Gbets (-8.5) 1.82
Predictions and Odds in details
This match will be important for the Springboks in particular as you have to win your home matches to have any chance of winning the competition. The Springboks will look to their experienced centre pairing of Jesse Kriel and Frans Steyn to get them on the front foot. They are a powerful combination who will use their strength to get over the advantage line but their defence will be tested by a strong Pumas centre pairing. The form of flyhalf Jantjies could determine the outcome of this match as he can blow hot and cold. If he is on form then the Boks will win this contest. Cobus Reinach will look to attack around the rucks as he is one of the fastest scrumhalves around. The odds on the outright Springbok win offer a poor return for punters therefore I suggest the value bet on the Springbok handicap victory. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-8.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-8.5) 1.88 and Gbets (-8.5) 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.
