Anticipated Outcomes for Rugby Championship Matches - Third Round
Unleashing the Dragon and the Storm: The epic battle between the Springboks and the All Blacks once again takes center stage in this weekend's Rugby Championship showdown at Ellis Park.
The powerhouses of the rugby world will lock horns, with a rematch looming next weekend in Cape Town. Meanwhile, the Pumas prepare to host the winless Wallabies at La Plata, followed by their reunion in Santa Fe the following week.
Get Ready: Rugby
South Africa vs New ZealandSaturday, 31 August - 17:00
The Boks, reeling from their nail-biting 12-11 victory over the All Blacks in last year's World Cup final, aim for a third straight triumph over their old foes, a feat not achieved since 2009. The history between these titans stretches back to 1921, with the Boks emerging victorious 40 times, compared to the All Blacks' 62 victories (with four draws). Despite the lopsided record, South Africa holds a proud status as the most successful nation against the mighty All Blacks.
New Zealand's dominance seemed unstoppable between 2016-2017, with six straight wins and record-breaking defeats (57-17 in 2016, 57-0 in 2017). However, the arrival of Rassie Erasmus as Bok coach in 2018 breathed new life into the rivalry, with five wins each (plus one draw) since then, setting the stage for a thrilling two-match series.
Ellis Park, South African rugby's hallowed ground, hosts the opening bout, where the Boks seek their first triumph over the Kiwis since October 2014. Although Ellis Park has been less of a fortress in recent years, with the All Blacks emerging victorious in four of the last five meetings there, the Boks will bring the underdog spirit to this historic venue.
The All Blacks seek to rebound after their shock loss to the Pumas in Wellington, responding with a commanding 42-10 win in the rematch and a 50-match winning streak at Eden Park. The Kiwis demonstrated both power and precision, executing a territory-based kicking game to bolster their confidence ahead of their tour to South Africa. However, they'll face a different beast at Ellis Park, where the Boks hope to establish their dominance.
Ultimately, the Boks boast a superior strength, evolving attack, unrivaled depth, and a burning desire to make more history. With the home-field advantage, Siya Kolisi and the troops should secure a narrow victory.
Prediction: South Africa by 5
Suggested Bet: New Zealand +7.5 at 1.83**
Argentina vs AustraliaSunday, 1 September - 00:00
With little attention paid to their 32-point trouncing at Eden Park, Argentina looks forward to facing the embattled Australians, celebrating their 38-30 triumph in Wellington as their desired result. Although the Pumas have a tendency to falter after a good performance, they are expected to put their best foot forward against the struggling Wallabies.
Australia's poor form is evident as they find themselves heavy underdogs against the Pumas. The Wallabies, battered by South Africa's 'A' and 'B' teams on home soil, face myriad issues as they battle for survival.
Falling short in their attack's creativity and output, the Wallabies must improve their intensity and effort areas, while tightening up their defense to stand a chance against Argentina's superior strength, skill, and set pieces.
Prediction: Argentina by 7
Suggested Bet: Australia +7.5 at 1.83**
Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a seasoned sports journalist, having earned the MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year award at one point in his career. His work has been featured in various outlets, including The Fever Media Group, eHowzit, SARugby.com, and Rugby365.com.
Insights:
- When was the last time South Africa defeated New Zealand at Ellis Park?: The last time South Africa beat the All Blacks at Ellis Park was in October 2014, during a 27-25 victory.
- What is the all-time head-to-head record of Springboks vs All Blacks?: As of the latest available data, New Zealand has traditionally held a strong edge in the all-time head-to-head statistics, but specific recent figures are not provided in the search results.
- ** Who won the last two matches between Springboks and All Blacks?:** In their most recent encounters, New Zealand defeated the Springboks in Wellington (42-10) and Cape Town (49-3).
Rugby Sports Betting Predictions:
- South Africa, aiming for a third straight win against New Zealand, seeks to capitalize on their home-field advantage at Ellis Park, hoping for a narrow victory by 5 points.
- Argentina, fresh from their 38-30 triumph in Wellington, is expected to beat Australia by 7 points, as the Wallabies continue to struggle with their form and face myriad issues.
