Couch Critic previews Sunday's Rugby World Cup matches between South Africa and Scotland and Wales and Fiji and nails up his play with BoyleSports
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KILTED FOR ACTION – 10 September
SOUTH AFRICA vs SCOTLAND (10 Sep)
Route One – N1
Having sneaked a win with a new coaching group and a in-development game plan one could have expected the Springboks to kick on and roll into the Frech event four years on like a 16-wheeler going down-hill. But instead the men in green in gold took the scenic route.
Yes the champions battled to a British Lions series win but six months out from the World Cup they were still only fourth favourites for the Cup having not claimed a single Rugby Championship title in the past three years. Instead of developing on a template it seemed the Boks had stagnated, not able to elaborate on their route-one style of play.
Yet as we get into the big event the Nienaber and Erasmus (NieRasmus) brains trust seem to have the buy-in of not only a squad but a nation. The SA-flavoured Scots are a plucky bunch but surely they can’t upset this South African road trip destined for a final appearance in Paris on 28 October.
Cleaning the pipes
The Scots managed a very respectable third in the Six Nations and have kept that form in the World Cup hit-outs, mixing it with the French and not looking inferior by any means. The kilted warriors were dealt a cruel blow when being handed this draw, but you can be sure that the fifth ranked team in the world aren’t ready to roll-over and accept they have come to France for a month-long holiday.
I’m expecting a song, a dance and one hell of a fight from this band of brothers.
Crystal ball prediction
For all the confidence that has been placed on NieRasmus everything could come crumbling down should the Bokkies stumble out the gate. We all know these Saffas have struggled for consistency and off the back of a resounding showing against the AB’s the purple people eaters will fancy having a nibble on a Springbok shank.
The Scottish style has me concerned for the defending champs and it will be crucial for the men in green and gold to get ahead early and force the SA Invitational XV into playing a risky catch-up style which suits the Boks’s defensive strategy. Both teams have the heart, one has the flair and the other has the firepower. The latter should prove the difference in the end.
Where my money is going
Scotland + 11.5 @ 1.90 BET HERE
Not enough respect has been put on the name of the kilted ones. I reckon they will keep the Springboks honest and make them grind out an ugly win.
WALES vs FIJI (10 Sep)
It’s the stable (some could say boring) Welsh against the thrilling Fijians on Sunday. There are no guesses for who the neutrals will be cheering for in this one, but of course this is not a popularity contest.
Crystal ball prediction
If the loss of flyhalf, Calbe Muntz, took some wind out of the sails of the islanders it’s nothing compared to the train-stopping effect it had on this pundit during the week. But I’ve had some time to regather myself and fly back into the Fijian with confidence. Fiji haven’t exactly been a sleeping giant, rather a sleeping first-year student who will explode into all sorts of heavy-metal chaos (and an inevitable go-again late-night bender) when they eventually awake around noon. Well, guess what – the clock has struck 12h00!
Where my money is going
Fiji to win @ 2.69 BET HERE
Radradra and company to just have too much “game” for the stale Dragons. Gatland is a shrewd operator, but he is a touch past his prime to lace up himself and get the job done. On the lawn it is the Pacifica team who has all the recent form and momentum.
I would also advise to keep a look out for Fiji points in this one.
The daily dabble
Boylesports will be boosting Couch Critics Daily Dabble and you can get 3.2 (22/10) boosted odds vs 2.8 (18/10) on todays dabble - go to their Home Page and click on Price Boosts *
Looking across all the Sunday games this is the accumulator that tickles my fancy.
Chile +17.5 Frist Half Handicap / Scotland +15.5 alt cap / Fiji +8.5 1st half cap was @ 18/10 but boosted to @22/10 BET HERE
*Note - maximum payout (stake plus profit) of R2000 per player, Max stake R625
The Boylesport Pie Shop
First Tryscorer – M Marx BET HERE
Look out for Boylesport posting this one for us closer to kick-off and back the monstrous Marx to get an early meat pie. The Springboks are sure to be a touch more conservative first time out in the competition and against a Scottish side that they will target in the pack.
First Fiji Tryscorer – F Lomani BET HERE
The scrumhalf is sure to take some more responsibility with Muntz missing. He can either snipe around the base or get the final pass as support runner after a break from one of those lethal backs.
Have yourselves a fabulously exotic Rugby World Cup!
Note: All Prices Available at BoyleSports at the time of posting but are subject to change
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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
