Bet on Boks to loose
The Springboks’ Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday is one of the most eagerly anticipated for some time. From a South African perspective, the team are starting to fire again after a very poor 2016. But following wins over the French and Argentina, the game against Australia will certainly be a step up and will give the Boks a better indication of where they stand in the global pecking order.
I expected Australia to start firm favourites and handicapped them at -7.5 when I started the rugby thread on the Goodforthegame forum on Sunday night. The bookies disagreed, making this a virtual choice game and when I saw 8/10 Australia I steamed in to grab what I thought at the time was outstanding betting value.
My expectations that the line might move in my direction have proven incorrect though and the market has been very stable all week. There are other punters like me who feel that the Boks have benefitted from playing a French team that was at less than full strength and a Pumas side that is struggling to take their game to the next level. They share my view that the current hype around this Bok team may be a bit premature.
I was also impressed with Australia in their Test against New Zealand in Dunedin, where they came within seconds of causing a massive upset.
Reading the forum posts, I can see why the market has not moved as other punters are reading this game very differently. Some have argued that New Zealand were off their game against Australia and so reading too much into that result could be dangerous. Others point to the poor Super Rugby showing of the Aussie sides while still others focus on the Bok positives and the almost Lions-like “brotherhood” which the camp have adopted.
I will feel a heartsore shouting against the Springboks but if Australia win, the healthy balance in my account will certainly ease those guilt pangs.
Brent Graham is a sports betting blogger at
To get on his free weekly e-mail list, just send a message to titled “Best Bets”. Follow him on Twitter: