Bookies see something in the sluggish Boks

The Springboks may have begun their Rugby Championship campaign with a less than stellar performance but the bookmakers still feel they’re the team to beat when they run out this weekend.

They’ve had to make the treacherous – can it be called that when you fly business class? – journey to Salta and will start as 6/10 favourites to once again get the better of Argentina with the hosts quoted at 14/10.

After smashing the Wallabies on the opening weekend, the All Blacks are 1/20 for the repeat clash, this time in Wellington, with the Australians given at 8/1 to produce what most will feel is an unlikely turnaround.

As far as cricket is concerned, the Proteas are 9/10 favourites for the deciding Test against New Zealand which begins in Centurion tomorrow. The tourists are quoted at 28/10 with the draw at the same price. There’s 9/10 on offer on either side should you want to have a flutter on who wins the toss.

The Premier League action continues with a mouthwatering clash to kickstart matters tomorrow afternoon as Liverpool travel to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham Hotspur. The Reds, brought back to earth with a bang last weekend, are 19/10 for the clash while their hosts are 14/10 and the draw is at 24/10.

Arsenal are 15/20 to get things back on track after a poor start with 38/10 Watford lined up for them. The shortest price of the weekend belongs to Chelsea as they are 1/4 to get the better of 12/1 Burnley.

In Sunday’s matches, Manchester City are 2/7 against the 10/1 offered on West Ham’s chances while the draw is at 9/2 and West Bromwich Albion are marginal 16/10 favourites when they host 19/10 Middlesbrough.

He’s claimed four wins on the trot and taken his season haul to six trophies so far so it’s no surprise to see Lewis Hamilton installed as favourite for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix with a price of 12/10 on his chances.

But it’s only fractionally better than the 13/10 offered on teammate Nico Rosberg’s chances with the pair a long way clear of Daniel Ricciardo, who is at 12/1 and Max Verstappen at 14/1.

Both Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams remain firm favourites in their respective sections of the US Open which begins at Flushing Meadows next week.

Williams is at 13/10 to add to her impressive haul of Grand Slams with Garbine Muguruza next best in the women’s outright market at 7/1. Simona Halep is 9/1 while silver medallist at the Olympic Games, Angelique Kerber is at 10/1.

Djokovic meanwhile is at 9/10 with Andy Murray next best at 2/1 and Milos Raonic at 12/1.