SA vs Portugal
It will be a matter of pride and redemptions when South Africa host Portugal in Bloemfontein. The home side will be smarting from their last-minute loss to Ireland in their last match and will be looking for an immediate bounce back. Os Lobos will be in for a baptism of fire in front of a capacity crowd at the Toyota Stadium. The visitors showed plenty of promise at the last years World Cup and pushed some of the tier one countries all the way. Arguably their best ever result was achieved during the tournament when they beat Fiji. They cannot have any serious hopes of beating the world champions but will be looking to keep the score respectable.
TIP: Coach Rassie Erasmus has made wholesale changes to the team but yet can still put a world class matchday 23. Portugal do not have too many star names but Captain Tomas Appleton showed that he can match it with the best on his day. He will be up against the powerful Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am in what promises to be one the highlights of the match. The bookies have the Springboks as favorites and I am also backing them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Tictacbets 1.01, Playabets 1.01 and Bettabets 1.01
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
SA vs Portugal
- This is the first ever match between the sides.
Latest results for both teams
South Africa lost 25-24 to Ireland in their last match while Portugal beat Namibia 37-22 in their last match.
PREDICTION
All eyes will be on the returning halfback duo of Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach as the home side look to play a more attacking game. Both players have fallen down the pecking order but remain the best attacking halfback partnership in the squad. Portugal love to throw the ball around which will be the best option as the Springboks will dominate the scrums and lineouts. The back three of the Springboks are deadly on counter attack therefore Os Lobos will need their out of hand kicking to be accurate or they will be punished. I am predicting a Springboks win by more than 40 points.
Probable Starting XVs
South Africa
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Portugal
15 Simao Bento, 14 Manuel Cardoso Pinto, 13 Jose Lima, 12 Tomas Appleton (c), 11 Rodrigo Marta, 10 Joris Moura, 9 Hugo Camacho, 8 Vasco Baptista, 7 Diego Pinheiro, 6 Jose Maderia, 5 Duarte Torgal, 4 Nicolas Fernandes, 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira, 2 Luka Begic, 1 Francisco Fernandes
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Springboks victory are as follows:
Tictacbets 1.01
Playabets 1.01
Bettabets 1.01
Odds comparison on the Springboks handicap:
The complete odds on the Springboks handicap:
Tictacbets 1.90 (-34.5)
Playabets 1.87 (-34.5)
Bettabets 1.89 (-34.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor odds on the Springboks outright win therefore we suggest the home team on the handicap for better odds. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Tictacbets 1.90 (-34.5), Playabets 1.87 (-34.5) and Bettabets 1.89 (-34.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
England U20 vs France U20
SA U20 vs Wales U20
Australia vs Georgia
New Zealand vs Fiji
South Africa vs Portugal
Griffons vs WP
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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.
