ODDS

Brent Graham

Readers will have noticed a pattern developing over the past few weeks and that is that this punter is on one of those runs where any decision he makes turns out to be the wrong one.

I was in agreement with our three panelists last week on #TheHandicap, our rugby betting show on YouTube, that Scotland would push the Boks very close, if not win the game.

I was on Scotland (+5.5) and just before kick-off I also took Scotland to score 22 points or more in the match.

The Springboks were, in my opinion, full value for the victory but there was a moment of Scottish madness that left me fuming after the game. In typical social media warrior style, I took to Twitter to vent my frustration.

The Scots trailed 20-23 when they were awarded a penalty which, for their deadly kicker, would have been almost a guaranteed three points.

They had shown signs of ascendency in the mauls and rather than level the game up at 23 each (and in so doing land my points bet), they decided to kick for the corner and go for the jugular.

The Springboks had few problems in nullifying the drive and a defensive five-metre scrum to the visitors was the result. What made the decision not to take the three points even more frustrating was that Scotland attempted a very speculative drop goal a couple of minutes later.

From that point on, the Boks assumed control of the game and when they went six points clear at 26-20, I knew I was in big trouble as Scotland would now be forced to go for the try.

Watching in a room full of Springbok supporters, many of whom I had met for the first time, I tried to hide my disappointment when the final whistle blew and I had lost both my bets.

I think they may have picked up that I was supporting Scotland when I stood up to sing Flower of

after their second try.

Brent Graham is a sports betting blogger at

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