After starting their Rugby World Cup campaign on a winning note, South Africa's next assignment sees them take on Romania in a Pool B clash in Bordeaux on Sunday.
South Africa v Romania, Sunday 17th September, Bordeaux, KO 15:00 (South African time)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Weather Forecast - Bordeaux
South Africa:
The Boks first pool match came against Scotland, a game neither side could afford to lose. They started as favourites with the main handicap line settling at around 11.5 points and it was one for the minus backers as they came through with an 18-3 victory.
Leading 6-3 at half time South Africa put daylight on the scoreboard with second half scores from Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kurt-Lee Arendse and Scotland rarely threatened the Bok tryline. On the down side Eben Etzebeth picked up a shoulder injury hopefully not too serious but Malcolm Marx has picked up a knock which has ruled him out of the tournament
After this South Africa face Ireland and their final group match comes against Tonga. When the side for the Romania game was named on Wednesday Bongi Mbonambi was handed the skippers role and wholesale changes have been made.
As far as the RWC outright betting is concerned, at the time of writing South Africa are trading at around 11/4 to win the tournament (new favourites) and 13/10 to reach the final with Betway. The betting to top Pool B has South Africa priced up 6/10. Note these prices will probably change depending on results earlier in the round
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Romania:
Romania were given around 62.5 points start on the handicap for their opening match against Ireland. Rupanu scored the first points of the game with a 3rd minute try and the same player later added a penalty but it was 33-8 to Ireland at half time and Romania never added to their points tally.
Romania have not been beyond the pool stage in the RWC and they did not qualify for the 2019 finals. In 2015 they won 1 (Canada 17-15) and lost 3 of their matches.
As far as the RWC outright betting is concerned you can write your own ticket about Romania qualifying from this pool.
Team News
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Grant Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi (c), 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20, Jasper Wiese, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Jesse Kriel
Romania: 15 Marius Simionescu, 14 Tevita Manumua, 13 Jason Tomane, 12 Taylor Gontineac, 11 Nicholas Onutu, 10 Hinckley Vaovasa, 9 Gabriel Rupanu, 8 Cristian Chirica (captain), 7 Vlad Neculau, 6 Andre Gorin, 5 Marius Iftimiciuc, 4 Adrian Motoc, 3 Alexandru Gordas, 2 Ovidiu Cojocaru, 1 Iulian Hartig
Replacements: 16 Robert Irimescu, 17 Alexandru Savin, 18 Thomas Cretu, 19 Stefan Iancu, 20 Damian Stratila, 21 Cristi Bovoc, 22 Alin Conache, 23 Gabriel Pop
The Betting
09h00 17 September
South Africa -63.5 points at 9/10
Romania +64.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
South Africa should make short work of Romania but these big handicaps are always tough to call.
I am going to come back with my main bet on Sunday morning but do have a play in one of the Boosted Markets at Boyles that I really like.
They go 3/1 a South African scores 3 tries in the match and with the likes of Williams and Mapimpi on the wings and meat pie loving Bongi at hooker I think there is every chance.
Bet: 1 unit Price Boost any SA player to score 3 or more tries v Romania at 3/1 at Boylesports
Click here to open your Boylesports Account and click on the “Price Boosts” in the menu on top left of the page
Update 09h00 17 September
I was hoping to be in a position to make a confident handicap or points play but that is not the case and I am going to scatter my punting rands around a bit.
I really like my original play and can confirm the 3/1 boost for an SA player to get a hatrick is still at Boylesports
I see there has been some money for Romania on the handicap with it coming in a point or 2 and I think it is well set. I am going to bet that it is and will back South Africa to win by 61-70 points inclusive at 15/4.
BET: 2 units South Africa win by 61-70 points inclusive at Betxchange
AUSTRALIA V FIJI WATCH ALONG
Set a reminder to join our “watch along” for Australia v Fiji where we will have some betting vouchers up for grabs – we get going 17h40 on the 17th (Sunday) https://youtube.com/live/zAGWQoxWsVQ?feature=share
Stay close to our forum thread where I will post any additional betson Boks v Romania
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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