boks siyaCouch Critic previews Saturday's Rugby World Cup Pool B clash between New Zealand and South Africa with best bets from @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

It’s time, it’s finally time. It has felt like the big event has taken its sweet time in getting here but it’s finally here and almost straight out of the gate we have the clash between the old rivals. Few rivalries in sport are bigger than the All Blacks versus the Springboks. And whilst this clash might not be a knockout it’s still on the very biggest stage of them all and you can be sure all 46 men will be giving it their all.

Here’s how I see things going down.

 

New Zealand vs South Africa, Saturday 21 September @ 11:45 (Yokohama)

 

What you need to know

 

It’s strange to think that we’ve come to a time where everyone was 90% certain about how the Bok team would look whilst much debate has followed the announcement of the All Black team. Rassie has spent the past 12 to 18 months refining his strategy and his team selection and, on both fronts, we now know exactly what we are going to get from the Springboks.

Steve Hansen has had to juggle team selection due to injury in the run-up to the tournament. The Super Rugby form of the young Richie Mo’unga has made him the irreplaceable star whilst Rieko Ioane’s drop off in performance has forced his coach’s hand. A lack of form and game time made Sonny-Bill a head scratcher. Retallick is also only available later and with no Squire around the coaching staff have little wiggle room with regard to their loose trio. The team that takes the field on Saturday will be vastly different to the one that the Kiwi brains trust would have had in mind for tis clash about a year ago.

 

How I see it panning out

 

I’ve always remained resolute in my thought process that New Zealand would win this game as well as the pool, but that the Boks still had the better chance of going the further of the two in the competition in the end. Yet, as game time approaches, I can’t shake this feeling that the men in green-in-gold are exactly where they want to be. Their preparation and condition is spot on. They have winning momentum and the confidence over their opponents which hasn’t been there in ages. On the flipside there are a lot more questions than answers in the All Black camp at present.

People often refer to something being too tight to call - in this case there is merit in that statement. But given that this isn’t the most settled Kiwis outfit, and since Retallick is missing the value has got to lie with the team who has also been in the country for a week longer and have a game under their belts in these conditions. It won’t be pretty but the Springboks have a very real chance of edging a tight game.

 

Betolimp Best Bet: Total points under 45.5 @ 1.85

Betolimp Value Play: South Africa to win @ 3.20

Special Play: HT/FT Winning Margin - SA to lead by 1-8 at HT and win by 1-12 @ 12.00

 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

Couch Critic