Couch Critic previews Saturday's Rugby World Cup semi final and Cricket World Cup matches between England and South Africa including best bets and price boosts
Poms Away
Whether it’s the bomb squad who need to get the job done in the final quarter or rockets from Rabada required to topple the top order – it’s South Africa against the Crown on Saturday.
PROTEAS vs ENGLAND
The Proteas flew out the blocks but hit a pothole the size of Holland this past week. Whilst such a shock loss would have hurt it’s all good and well losing to the friendly foe in orange, but coming unstuck against the English is simply not allowed.
The South Africans started their campaign with a flourish led by a batting line-up seemingly hungry for runs. However, the buffet ran dry against the Dutch and a few senior batters should have had a stern talk to the man in the mirror having given their wickets away like it was an Opera Winfrey show.
Jos Buttler’s team has stuttered themselves and look a far cry from the team who lifted the trophy at the last time of asking. The defending champions will be keen to get the train back on the tracks as a third loss from four outings will leave them in a dire spot given the class of opponents in the tournament.
Crystal ball prediction
It seems the fragile mental state of our cricketers means it suits them much better being the underdog in matches. Things aren’t clicking for the Poms at present and the Proteas should be poised to capitalise having had a wake-up call.
BoyleSports Price Boosts
Q de Kock to be the Top South African batter v England | Was 3.70 Now 4.10
South Africa to win and Both Teams To Score 275+ Runs Each | Was 4.30 Now 5.30
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Where my money is going
South Africa to win @ 2.14
This isn’t a knock-out yet so the men in green should be fine to deliver against an English team ripe for the picking.
The Boylesport Pie Shop
Top England Bowler – Reece Topley @ 4.33
Swing at the top and decent death bowling at the end. Whilst the Saffas often grope their way through a spin interrogation I just feel Topley ticks the boxes this time around.
Top SA Batsman – Heinrich Klaasen @ 7.50
All the action has been at the top of the order for the Proteas thus far. Against a decent bowling attack the lower order of the Proteas is sure to have to play a part and Klaasen is still a man in form in my view.
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SPRINGBOKS vs ENGLAND
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Despite not really being able to settle into their normal physically dominant game the Boks were able to navigate past an inspired French side and have set up a rematch of the 2019 final against the Poms.
It came as a bit of a surprise that NieRasmus didn’t opt to freshen up the squad after the physical and emotional war the green and gold battled through to get the result on Sunday. Management have asked the men to tog up and go again. Whilst there is the risk that it proves tough for the same personnel to front up again there is also something to say for sticking with continuity and momentum - no one in that SA line-up will be unsure of their roles and responsibilities within the gameplan.
The English are unbeaten to date but have cruised through the tournament with Argentina and Fiji as their biggest scalps. The Roses will have to be at their very best to handle the ferocity that is expected to meet them on the pitch on Saturday.
Crystal ball prediction
The English still have a strong side on paper but they don’t have the form or physicality to live with the defending champions. The British will come hungry for revenge and enjoying the under-dog tag, but I don’t see this South African team throwing them a bone.
BoyleSports Price Boosts
C Kolbe to score the first Try of the match v England Was 8.0 Now 10.5
E Etzebeth to be Man of the Match| Was 8.00 Now 13.00
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Where my money is going
South Africa -6.5 HT @ 1.90
I’m expecting the Boks to come out firing and looking to put this one to bed early. South Africa will know that they started a touch slow against the French and they should also be mindful of the fact that the Poms are a dogged side who will look to hang around and bite you in the calf when you aren’t looking. Best to put them down early whilst you have the chance.
The Boylesport Pie Shop
First Tryscorer – Bongi Mbonambi WAS 12.00 NOW 15.00
Yes about as predictable as Rassie van der Dussen getting out to a reverse sweep, I’m backing the hooker for the pie. I won’t be surprised to see the Boks go for the line-out early and try and nail down the advantage in the forwards from the opening whistle. Bongi will be hungry for a meat pie in a big game.
Enoy the battle against the Poms and the bookies. And remember – don’t be a Roos!
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Note: All Prices Available at BoyleSports at the time of posting but are subject to change
Couch Critic
Couch is first and foremost a Bok fan and a long-suffering Sharks fan. He loves the occasional bet and often plays in the exotic markets where his penchant for well-priced Hookers* became his trademark
You can follow him on Twitter @HDiemont
He also has an Afrikaans Rugby Channel on YouTube “Die Losgemaal” – //www.youtube.com/@dielosgemaal4278">click here to subscribe
