South Africa v New Zealand 4th Test, Currie Cup Final, NPC + other rugby

With South Africa 2–1 up in the four-match series, the teams head to the USA for the fourth Test in Baltimore. Kick-off is at 23h00 South African time on Saturday night.

 We will have the betting preview up shortly. For now, here is my handicap projection. I’m not sure whether any of the bookmakers have priced up yet, and I expect both teams to make several changes.

 Handicap projection: South Africa -8.5 v New Zealand

 Overall, it was a successful punting weekend for me, apart from my dip into the NPC, which went wrong. Apologies to the Understaker I think I poisoned him by sticking that Waikato bet in the newsletter 

 I narrowly landed the overs in Argentina v Australia, while New Zealand’s after-the-hooter conversion got their team total over 22.5 points. Griquas -9.5 cruised home in the Currie Cup semifinal, although I had to sweat before landing under 56.5 points in Cheetahs v Pumas.

Unfortunately that last New Zealand try cost me the 10/1 newsletter acca but the over 22.5 was the better result

 The Currie Cup final will be contested between Griquas and the Pumas in Kimberley. Here is my early handicap projection:

 Handicap projection: Griquas -11.5 v Pumas

 There is also NPC action and, most likely, some Top 14 betting to get involved in. I look forward to hearing your thoughts throughout the week.
 

I see the early handicap for the Baltimore Test is South Africa -2.5 against New Zealand.

 I imagine the relatively low line is due to the match being played at a neutral venue, as well as the expectation that both teams will make several changes.

 I’m also expecting changes from both sides, but feel that South Africa’s depth could count in their favour. We’ll watch with interest to see whether the handicap moves out.

The Currie Cup Final Blog is up 

Griquas -10.5 on WSB

i see points line for the game in USA has opened at 59.5. Weather forecast looks different depending on which weather site you look at, probably one to look at closer come thursday when more accurate forecast. 

Surface looks fast, just want to understand if width is an issue as it's not a wide ground given is used for NFL.

I should be able to get a report an hour or so before as have some mates going 

Currie Cup final line keeps drifting out. Massive Kwaste fan but if it gets to 14.5 I'm on the Pumas... 

The Handicap live at 21h00 tonight 

Click here to watch or set a reminder on You Tube 

think we will see at captains runs today that pitch will be perfect but does look a bit narrow. Unfortunately the weather is not playing ball, forecast is for wet, massive shame given occassion, literally dry all this week there and every other day bar game day.

Will be a watching brief for me until late call on tries/pts overs, depending on weather.

One early interest - last tryscorer = Rieko Ioane @ 16/1

Sa v New Zealand 4th Test Preview 

I like the Boks and am going with an extended cap play 

Boks -12.5 at 18/10 

Main bet likely in the points markets

A heads up on the pitch dimensions @ Baltimore .
Length of playing surface ( exc in goal ) = 91,1m
( should be 100 )
width of playing surface = 48,8m
(should be 68-70 )
In goal depth = 9,1m
( should be 10-22 ) 

 

Width has been extended from that nfl 48m width. Seen it in some photos. World rugby rule is min 68 wide and 94m length (try lines), so I assume they’ve somehow made this work. The in goal area is tiny though, like 6m. 

I’ve asked AI 5 different times and got 48,8 m twice and 68m twice , the last time I asked it apologised saying it got it wrong !! 
It now swears on a stack of bibles it’s 68 !!
 

Currie Cup Blog updated 

Under 60.5 at 0.94/1 

Never underestimate the Pumas in finals rugby.

Pumas + 13 @ 19/20

Under 57.5 in the USA and all over the plus 6.5 the All Blacks again, as the Oracle would say " easy money " . 

Under 59.5 in the Currie Cup with Brent 

Preview updated Boks v AB's 

Missed the 59.5 but had an interest u57.5 

U57.5 at 17/20 

Tied up with the kids all day but they’re firmly tucked up in bed and I can watch the game without interruption! 

Managed one punt today on Aus ladies over 8.5 pts earlier so sticking those profits onto tries in Baltimore, hoping rain stays away -

Over 7.5 tries @ 5/6

 

What a test match - Boks were brilliant 

The -12.5 arrives but gave some back on the unders - it looked really humid there, credit to both teams for the handling 

Well done on thee over 7.5 South 

Currie Cup unders arrives so overall a good day 

Congrats to the overs and Bok minusses last night , the Boks were at their very best , what a performance , thankfully the unders arrived in the Griquas game which helped ease the pain a little