Coming soon
History
The history between South Africa and New Zealand is long and as storied as any other in international rugby. Dating back to their first meeting in Dunedin in 1921, New Zealand have won 62 of 106 matchups, with the Springboks having won 40, alongside four draws. In the Republic, the ledger is almost dead-even, with 26 wins for South Africa, 25 for the All Blacks and one draw. Similarly, the Boks hold a narrow 9-8 advantage in games played in Johannesburg.
Form
South Africa took care of business in their two-game run in Australia to kick off their Rugby Championship campaign. The first Test saw domination from the Springboks, cruising to a 33-7 victory in a game that was never close, as the visitors dominated almost every aspect of the game. The rematch one week later was a little more competitive, with the Wallabies staying in the fight for the opening hour, before the ‘bomb squad’ came on to secure a 30-12 win for the Boks. With bonus-point victories in both games, South Africa are sitting pretty atop the standings.
New Zealand had the rockiest of starts to their tournament, losing to Argentina 30-38 in Wellington in Round 1. It was a messy, disjointed performance from the All Blacks, but they were sure to tidy things up the following week, dismantling Los Pumas 42-10 at Eden Park. Despite the heavy rain, the Kiwis were sharp with ball in hand and were much more accurate across the park to earn the win and keep their faint hopes of defending their TRC crown alive.
Teams
South Africa: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 8 Jasper Wiese, 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 15 Aphelele Fassi. Reserves: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handre Pollard.
New Zealand: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea, 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Damian McKenzie, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan, 15 Beauden Barrett. Reserves: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a.
Rassie Erasmus has given his squad a shakeup after smashing the Wallabies in Perth, returning to a first-string side. Eben Etzebeth will come off the bench after making a miraculous recovery from a knee injury, seeing Pieter-Steph du Toit join the second row and Ben-Jason Dixon come into the loose forwards, alongside Siya Kolisi and Jasper Wiese. Cobus Reinach, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian de Allende are the new faces in the starting backline.
For the All Blacks, Sam Cane returns to the #7 jersey for the first time this year, while captain Scott Barrett makes his comeback from injury. The backline is unchanged from New Zealand’s win over Argentina.
Stats That Matter
- New Zealand have won five of the last seven games between these two nations held in South Africa
- South Africa have covered the spread in five of their last seven games against New Zealand
- South Africa are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games
- New Zealand are 2-4 ATS in their last six games
- The under is 6-2 in South Africa’s last eight games
The Verdict
By far the biggest test of Scott Robertson’s tenure awaits him and his All Blacks team at Ellis Park on Sunday morning. The Springboks have shown no signs of slowing down since winning their second-straight Rugby World Cup last year and Rassie Erasmus has named a very strong 23 to take on New Zealand, meaning there is a lot for the visitors to overcome if they are to win here. Robertson has named a big, physical pack, which will have a chance to match up well with the South Africans, but the cohesiveness and the polish of this Springboks team will make them too tough to overcome at home. The big win over Argentina will give the visitors hope, but there’s been a real lack of consistency for the ABs this year and as they take on a team as good as the Springboks, it will be revealed that they have some ground to make up.
The Prediction
South Africa by 9
Tips
Best: South Africa -6.5 ($1.85)
Value: South Africa 1-12 ($2.70)
Anytime Try Scorer: Aphelele Fassi ($2.70)
History
There have been 39 matches between Australia and Argentina in the history of international rugby, with the first coming back in 1979. Argentina won that first-ever clash, but the Australians have the bragging rights as it stands, with a 21-15-3 (W-L-D) record against Los Pumas. These teams have never met in La Plata or at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi.
Form
Argentina couldn’t have gotten their Rugby Championship off to a better start, shocking the All Blacks to record a 38-30 win in Wellington in Round 1. Despite juggling a few injuries, Los Pumas were unstoppable for 80 minutes but they couldn’t carry that form through to the rematch at Eden Park the following week, as Felipe Contepomi’s men fell flat. The 10-42 defeat saw the Argentinians crash back down to Earth, but across the two games in New Zealand, there was enough for Los Pumas get excited about as they head back home.
Australia had a very difficult start to their tournament, getting drawn a double-header against South Africa. Being at home, there was a glimmer of hope that the Wallabies could steal a win, but they didn’t come all that close. Game one saw utter domination from the Springboks, as they strolled to a 7-33 victory, and although the opening hour of the second clash was closer, the Wallabies couldn’t keep up with the visitors down the stretch, losing 12-30. Carlo Tizzano was a bright light and Marika Koroibete was strong in his return to international rugby, but there were few positives for the Australians.
Teams
Argentina: 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julian Montoya, 3 Joel Sclavi, 4 Franco Molina, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Santiago Carreras, 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Santiago Cordero, 15 Juan Cruz Mallia. Reserves: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Tomas Lavanini, 21 Santiago Grondona, 22 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23 Tomas Albornoz.
Australia: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Harry Wilson, 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Noah Lolesio, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Hamish Stewart, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 15 Tom Wright. Reserves: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen.
Felipe Contepomi has made a handful of changes, starting in the front row, seeing Joel Sclavi come in for Lucio Sordoni. Franco Molina and Santiago Cordero also come into the starting team, alongside positional changes for Marcos Kremer and Juan Martin Gonzalez. Agustin Creevy joins the bench for his last-ever Test match.
Hamish Stewart will make his Wallabies debut at second five-eighth, replacing the injured Hunter Paisami, while Jake Gordon starts at halfback for Nic White. Taniela Tupou also returns, pushing Alan Alaalatoa to the bench, and Matt Faessler starts at hooker in place of Josh Nasser. Nick Frost also comes in at lock, while Harry Wilson has been named as captain.
Stats That Matte
- Argentina are 4-2 ATS in their last six games
- Argentina have covered just one of their last five home games
- Australia have failed to cover the spread in their last 10 games
- Five of the last six games between these two nations in Argentina have hit the over
The Verdict
Argentina return home after a successful two-game stint in New Zealand and they will be feeling upbeat about their chances against Australia. Agustin Creevy’s final game in a Pumas jersey gives the Argentinians extra motivation, but I don’t expect them to have it all their way. The Wallabies looked well and truly behind the pace against the Springboks, but most teams in the world would at the moment, and there were aspects of Australia’s game that were encouraging. Their back three was strong when given the chance to get involved, the loosies ran with intent and their work at the breakdown and at the scrum was solid. That will at the very least give them a chance to win in Argentina and I am picking this game to be closer than what the bookies are expecting.
The Prediction
Argentina by 3
Tips
Best: Australia +7.5 ($1.87)
Value: Tri-Bet — Either Team By Under 7.5 ($2.50)
Anytime Try Scorer: Tom Wright ($3.20)