The 2nd Test between South Africa and Wales takes place in Bloemfontein on Saturday and we take a look at the match from a betting angle.
The Boks came away with a thrilling last minute 3 point victory over Wales at Loftus last weekend. Wales started quickly and built up what looked like a match winning lead before a second-half Springbok fight back delivered a home win which is far harder than the betting odds suggested it would be. The Boks started 19 point favourites for the match and Wales can take some consolation that they made a mockery of the handicap.
Incredibly the Springboks have made 14 changes for this game and while some of the media have called it disrespectful to Wales, Dan Biggar the Welsh fly half has pointed out that this is very much a form XV for the hosts.
TEAMS:
South Africa: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Kurt Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Handre Pollard (captain), 9 Jaden Henrikse, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Rynhardt Elstadt, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Damian Willemse
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Alex Cuthbert, 10 Dan Biggar (captain), 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Alun Wyn Jones, 20 Josh Navidi, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Josh Adams
BETTING – Click here to bet
South Africa 1/5
Draw 33/1
Wales 4/1
Handicap: South Africa -10.5
Suggested Bets:
Winning Margin, South Africa by under 12.5 points at 13/10
I think the Boks will get the victory in Bloemfontein, but I am not convinced that the new look side will gel from the start. It may not be as close as last week’s game, but I still think that the Welsh will keep it within 13 points.
Anytime Try Scorer, Joseph Dweba at 13/10
Dweba has been rewarded for some excellent rugby this season and at some point he will hopefully be perched behind the Bok maul on its way to the try line.
Last Try Scorer, Malcolm Marx at 12/1
Let’s stick with the same theme of hookers scoring tries from rolling mauls and Marx is a man who has made a habit of getting on the score sheet when he comes off the bench and we only have to look back to last week’s second-half to see how dominant South Africa’s maul can be. The beauty about this bet is we are almost certain to have an interest right until the very end.
Look out also for the Total and Team Points Markets that will be coming out on the day. The Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein is one that often delivers high scores and is another great option for punters to get involved in.
Click here for betting on all of the International Rugby this weekend
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
