THE MONEY MAN is putting R5,000 on the Argentinian franchise to beat the Stormers by at least three points on Saturday.
Last week I lost every pre-kickoff bet I placed, which amounted to a loss of R5,600. However, I did mention in my column that there would be opportunities to make money on in-running bets, which you can catch on my Facebook page during the games. I managed to make R13,000 on these bets during the following matches last week: Crusaders vs Kings and Lions vs Cheetahs.
So, in actual fact, the R25,000 I started with now sits at R30,000 and all profits go to a charity of my choice. I donated last year's winnings to young cancer patient Junaid Arendse to help pay for his treatment.
Hurricanes vs Kings
The Hurricanes seem to have righted the ship after a 0-2 start in the competition and demolished the Force by 35 points last weekend. The bookies are giving the Kings a 35.5-point headstart in this game, but I doubt it will be enough. The Kings, losers of three games on the trot by 33, 34 and 34 points respectively, will get steamrolled in this Wellington encounter. And as they go deeper into the tournament, with little positional depth, expect the defeats to get heavier. I'm putting down R2,000 to win R1,800 plus my stake that the Hurricanes will win by 36 points at least.
Chiefs vs Force
For me, the Chiefs and the Jaguares played the game of the tournament on Saturday night. It was a heartbreaking loss for the Jaguares, but I bet the flight home to Hamilton was enjoyable for the Chiefs. The Force were awful against the Hurricanes and lost by 35 points. The Chiefs play an attractive brand of rugby, averaging 34 points per game, while I am unsure what brand of rugby the Force play. The bookies are giving the Perth-based side a 16.5-point handicap but it will not be enough. Take the Chiefs to win and win big. I am betting R500 to win R400 plus the stake that the Chiefs will beat the Force by 17 or more points.
Rebels vs Highlanders
Both teams are 3-1 this season, but only the Highlanders are a legitimate winning team. The Rebels' wins have come against some of worst teams in the tournament – Force, Reds and Sunwolves – hardly a shining CV. And with the Highlanders' victories coming against the Waratahs, Lions and Hurricanes, I don't think we have to look further than that for decent form. I'm placing a R1,000 bet on the defending champions to defeat the Force by six or more points, which will pay out R900 plus my stake.
Sunwolves vs Bulls
The Bulls are favourites to beat the Sunwolves by 16.6 points in Singapore and while I'm confident they'll win, 16.6 might be a stretch. I won't be betting on this match because I think they will win by about 15. Stay away from this one and just enjoy the game.
Cheetahs vs Brumbies
The bookies have favoured the Brumbies to beat the Cheetahs by 11.5 points and I don't think it's unrealistic to expect them to win by 12 or more. They'll be stinging from last weekend's loss to the Stormers and will target this as a must-win encounter. If the real Brumbies team show up, they'll win by 20 or more. I'm putting R1,000 down to win R900 plus the stake on the Brumbies to beat the Cheetahs.
Sharks vs Crusaders
This game is a red-light special and I advise you to avoid betting at all cost. The Sharks are favourites by 2.5 points, but you could toss a coin on this match and still not know who is going to win. For my SuperBru, I'm backing the Crusaders to win by one.
Jaguares vs Stormers
The Stormers have made a couple of changes and will be resting Schalk Burger, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Bongi Mbonambi (benched), while winger Dillyn Leyds is out injured. I believe that should tip the scale in favour of the Jaguares, who the bookies have tipped to win by 2.5 points. This is my banker for the weekend and I'll be placing a R5,000 bet, to win R4,500 plus my stake, on an outright Jaguares win by three or more.
Reds vs Waratahs
I'm not sure about you folks, but I won't be watching this game. I'll be spending time with my family. I may occasionally check SARugbymag.co.za for the live scores, though. For those of you set on betting on every match, the Waratahs are tipped to record a 7.5-point victory over the Reds, but I won't be offering any money on it.
R150 pays out R35,947 (and 98 cents) but all seven bet placings have to win in order for you to collect the payout
– 2/1 on the Hurricanes to defeat the Kings by 44 or more
– 9/10 on the Chiefs to beat the Force by 17 or more points
– 1/1 on the Highlanders to win by seven or more against the Rebels
– 4/10 on the Bulls to lead at half-time and full-time against the Sunwolves
– 9/10 on the Brumbies to beat the Cheetahs by 12 or more in Bloemfontein
– 12/10 on an outright Crusaders win over the Sharks
– 9/10 on the Waratahs defeat the Reds by eight or more
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
