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Colossal encounter between the best teams in the world today at Ellis Park with the Rugby Championship title on the table. It doesn’t get much better than this in Rugby Union. South Africa has a clear task if they want to win it all: they have to beat New Zealand by 7 points, score at least 4 tries and concede at most 3 tries. A herculean task, but for sure the Springboks are fired up for the challenge. A mouthwatering encounter is guaranteed today at Ellis Park.
South Africa has really stepped up its game in the last 12 months and the hosts are now extremely close to New Zealand`s level. The Boks have build on their kick and run game and pack (both being the best in the world) and are now excelling in pretty much every phase of play, having the versatility to go on the wings when opposing teams tighten up in the center to contain their front line. South Africa easily won all games in this Rugby Championship except the one in New Zealand, where they lost 29-15 but they played a whole half with just 14 men after Bissmark Du Plessis` controversial dismissal. The last outing was an enthusiastic 28-8 drubbing of Argentina.
New Zealand is the best team in the world for a couple of years now, and rarely have they been troubled by other nations. Still undefeated this year, The All Blacks are playing simply brilliant rugby and they boost immense talent in their lineup. Last weak New Zealand defeated Argentina on the road, 33-15.
Probable lineups
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Bissmark Du Plessis will be back in the starting lineup today and look for him to be completely dominant over Adrew Hore, just like in New Zealand. With an eye for revenge after that dismissal, Du Plessis is set to have a top-class performance here and that could turn the tables in favor of South Africa. New Zealand will welcome back captain McCaw.
It`s a tough choice to bet against this New Zealand team, but South Africa is equally impressive at the moment. They have home court advantage, and Ellis Park is the All Blacks` nightmare – they lost 8 out of 11 here. The Springboks are better in the pack and at the kicking game, so they can mix it up with this strong visiting side. New Zealand showed some small weaknesses at set pieces lately and that is where South Africa has the the chance to win the game, the Boks being deadly in those type of situations. My pick is the hosts to get a close win. In the end it should be satisfactory for both sides, South Africa getting a famous win and New Zealand winning the Rugby Championship. I`d say something like 23-20 for the Springboks thanks to the home court advantage and superior physical play.
Pick: South Africa
Odds: 2.00 @ William Hill
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8
Event date: 5 October
Editor Facts
- Rostick is 1 for 2 in the 2013 Rugby Championship
- Rostick is 6 for 6 in October
