Weekend of close margins

After a quiet opening weekend of Super Rugby, I had more opportunities to watch games in round two and I am pleased to report I came out ahead of the bookmakers, but only after some serious close shaves.

My weekend hinged largely on two games, firstly, the Lions against the Reds.

In my weekly betting e-mail, I suggested the Reds (+2.5) at halftime against the Lions. They were leading by three points as the clock wound down but the Lions scored another rolling-maul try and the conversion, which was no certainty, went over, meaning I lost that one on the hooter.

I had also taken some (+6.5) Reds over the 80 minutes. Having looked like kicking on to win, they ended up conceding a try with the score at 20-20 to lose by seven points and my bet lost.

When I saw the weather in Johannesburg on Saturday morning, I went under 48.5 points and, with the final score 27-20, that one snuck in. It was a big enough bet to cover my other two losses.

I resisted getting involved in the Six Nations until just before half-time in the England versus Scotland game. England were playing with a massive wind at their backs in the second half and I took (-6.5) at 8/10.

They then served up a master class of how not to play with a swirling wind at their backs and I was relieved when they scored a try under the sticks to win by seven points.

Four bets, all decided by under two points, and fortunately the larger plays arrived.

There has certainly been encouragement for South African fans, with the performances of the Stormers and Sharks.

I look forward to week three and some more betting opportunities. The Sharks are +6.5 away to the Hurricanes and the Stormers are in Johannesburg for a derby against the Lions, with the line also set at 6.5 points (Stormers favourite) at the time of writing.

Brent Graham is a sports betting blogger at

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