Rugby World Cup betting bonanza
Sports Express Reporter
After a four-year wait, the Rugby World Cup finally kicks off today when host nation Japan take on Russia shortly after the opening ceremony.
South African rugby fans will no doubt be glued to their television sets tomorrow just before noon when the Springboks start their campaign against defending champions New Zealand.
Betting World is offering an extensive bouquet of betting options on every single RWC match, as well as on the tournament as a whole.
Go to www.bettingworld.co.za to see all the available options.
TAB also offers a Rugby 5 pool every weekend, and this weekend’s five matches are all World Cup clashes.
Thanks to a carryover, this weekend’s pool is expected to top R25,000!
All the five matches comprising this weekend’s Rugby 5 pool are previewed here in order to assist sports bettors with their selections. Remember, rugby is more exciting when you bet on it.
MATCH1 France vs Argentina Both teams can surprise on the day. The French are capable of beating any team, but their inconsistency also means they can lose to just about anybody. This is a crucial opening match for France. If they lose, they will probably have to beat England to advance to the play-offs.
For the Pumas from Argentina, it will be a major test. They are boosted by a great Super Rugby season as well as some solid performances in the Rugby Championship. A loss will set them back. Although Argentina is no banker, they are fancied to win, but not by much.
MATCH2 New Zealand vs South Africa This is the match the world has been waiting for and it will set the tone for this tournament.
The All Blacks proved to be vulnerable lately, while the Springboks are on the up under coach Rassie Erasmus.
With the possibility of rain, a low-scoring match is expected.
Victory for the Springboks might take the wind out of New Zealand's sails – something all the other contenders will be hoping for.
One moment of brilliance by either side can swing it.
MATCH3 Italy vs Namibia Despite Italy’s continuous disappointment they should be too good for a courageous Namibian side.
Expect Namibia to give it their all until the very last minute. They could be competitive for some of this match, but everything favours the Italians to start their campaign on a winning note.
MATCH4 Ireland vs Scotland Ireland – and their supporters - still believe they can lift the Web Ellis Trophy at the end of the tournament despite a subpar 2019 thus far.
With Scotland not playing to their true potential lately, a victory for the Irish is almost guaranteed. It will come as a shock if Scotland get the better of their aging opponents this time.
MATCH5 England vs Tonga It is one-way traffic with a runaway victory predicted for Eddie Jones’s England side.
Tonga’s only victory this year came when they defeated Canada by 33-23, but they were thrashed 92-7 by the All Blacks in their last warm-up match.
Tonga are in a tough group so any win in this World Cup will be seen as a success.