Where you should put your money on this weekend's international matches, according to MARK KEOHANE.
South Africa vs Wales
The Springboks will win again and will win well against opponents who history has showed invariably come second best. The Bok squad is starting to take shape ahead of next year's World Cup – and the way things are going they are in pole position to win the 2015 World Cup – and I've got them to put 15 points between themselves and Wales on the scoreboard this weekend. The spreads are interesting and the online bookies appear to be thinking along similar lines to me on this one. But the bet would be to actually back the Welsh to 'win' at odds of 95/100 (R195 return for every R100 spent) after they've had 17 points added to their final score. The Boks might take their foot off the accelerator once they've got the game won and the substitutions can see a match drop off in intensity. So, back the Welsh to get within 17 – and then everyone's a winner!
Australia vs France
Last week the score was 0-0 at half-time and then Australia kicked two penalties in the second half for a scoreline that was more Fifa World Cup than a rugby international. The French did better than a week before and the two teams will be familiar with each other as they approach their third and final dust-up. (As an aside, the half-time/full-time double of draw and Australia is on offer at 14/1 should you think that scenario might repeat this week.) I've got the Aussies to win by 10 points. When one narrows down the options on betflash.co.za it makes for tight betting. If you think that France will get within 10 then they are available at 12/10 (R220 for every R100 wagered). That's right on the edge, so a better bet – at 9/10 – would be for France to get within 12 points.
New Zealand vs England
The bubble is about to burst. Fill your boots punters, because Christmas has come early. Yes, I've got England to beat the All Blacks, even though they have lost the opening two Tests of their three-series tour. The English have shown me enough over the past couple of weeks for me to believe they will get over the finishing line in what is effectively a dead rubber. The All Blacks, who have won their last 16 Tests, will have plenty of incentive to keep going for the tier-one world record of 17, but England too will want to be the side that breaks that winning streak. A fortnight ago they got within five points, last week it was one point, although 28-27 might make it seem a little closer than it perhaps was. But this weekend I've got England to win by five. Back them at 41/10 (R510 return for every R100) to win the match (no margin of victory needed). Try the 14/1 (R1500 for every R100) for New Zealand to be leading at half-time and England to win. Back England at 16/10 to 'win' after they've had two points added to their final score. There's money to be made, punters!
Photo: Sabelo Mngoma/BackpagePix
