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Australia and South Africa will meet up in a key third round match in the 2017 Rugby Championship.
Australia entered this tournament as only the third favorite for the title, and many were ruling them out completely after their club teams had a historically awful season. Indeed, Australia started horribly and trailed New Zealand 6-54 at home after 50 minutes of play in the first match. However, since that point, the Wallabies somehow managed to turn everything around. They closed that game on a 24-0 run, and played a brilliant match in the next round (two weeks ago) in New Zealand – losing 29-35 via a late try in one of the best rugby matches of the decade.
The South Africans had one of their worst year ever in 2016, being truly pathetic, but it seems like they are turning things around this season – something not many expected, especially as the coaching staff stayed in place. The South Africans won all their matches convincingly this year, three against France and two against Argentina in the Rugby Championships. The Springboks were solid in two convincing victories over the Pumas (by 22 and 18 points) so far in this tournament.
Bet on Australia vs South Africa and claim your 100% (100 Eur) freebet at Ohmbet!Team news & lineups:
Australia will make 4 changes to the lineup that almost won in New Zealand. Moore and Haylett-Petty will not play, but Coleman returns from injury. South Africa has no new absentees and will only make to changes to the lineup that won in Argentina two weeks ago.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Reece Hodge, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio
South Africa: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Australia has won the last three home meetings against South Africa, including 23-17 last year in the Rugby Championship. Despite the tight scoreline, it was actually a very dominant performance from the Wallabies, who were unlucky to fall behind 3-14 early, but were in total control after that.
South Africa is clearly in a better spot than last year, when they were in complete shambles, managing to lose against teams like Argentina or Italy. However, they didn`t quite prove yet that they are back at an elite level. The three wins in June came against a tired French team which was not at full strength, while Argentina right now is below what it was in the last few years. This is a big asterisk to their progress so far in 2017.
Yes, the Springboks are now good enough to make light work of sides like Argentina, but Australia is a different test, and this will be the match that proves if the Springboks are truly back. However, the bookies are treating them like they have already proved it.
The Australians themselves aren`t completely reliable at this point, and must not be overrated just because of their excellent game in New Zealand two weeks ago. Nevertheless, the Wallabies put on 110 consecutive minutes of fantastic rugby against the best team in the world, so that says a lot. Even if their club rugby is in disarray, the National team still looks solid.
With home court advantage, the Wallabies should edge this game. I believe they will expose South Africa’s weaknesses, something which previous Springboks opponents weren`t able to do. This is still a South African team coached by the controversial Alister Coetzee, who made a complete mess last year and continues to be a liability – so they can not be completely trusted.
My tip is Australia to win, and I will bet high stakes of 9 units on this prediction, an investment which my analysis suggests makes sense. Prediction: Australia – South Africa 26 – 21.
Pick: Australia
Odds: 1.84 @ 1xBet
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 7.56
Event date: 9 September
since there was no winner, it was a push
My pick was on the 1X2 market, so it`s a loss. Rugby has 1X2 markets, it`s not like basketball. Australia Draw no bet had odds around 1.75 I think, and not many bookies were offering that bet.