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South Africa vs New Zealand Tips - Boks can win comfortably again

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 10 Aug 2022

Ralph Staniforth 10 Aug 2022

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South Africa vs New Zealand predictions for Saturday’s Rugby Championship fixture
Match is being played at 16:00 BST at Ellis Park
Can the Boks drive home their advantage?
Preview, tips, stats & team news

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Another big win predicted for Springboks (Getty images)

South Africa vs New Zealand Preview

New Zealand visit the fortress of Ellis Park this Saturday, and if last week was difficult, this week promises so much more. But the All Blacks have been successful at Ellis Park on a number of occasions so they can handle the pressure.

South Africa vs New Zealand Preview
Head to Head
South Africa Form
South Africa Team News
New Zealand Form
New Zealand Team News
South Africa vs New Zealand FAQ

The Springboks were good last weekend but nowhere near as good as they could have been. I am surprised the bookies have only given the hosts a -5 handicap, I reckon unless New Zealand get a strong start, this could be a bigger win.

South Africa beat New Zealand by 16 points last weekend.
South Africa have won 6 of their last 8 matches.
New Zealand have lost 5 of their last 6 matches.

Head to Head

South Africa and New Zealand have three wins each in their last seven encounters along with a draw. Last week the Springboks were far too good for the All Blacks, winning 26-10 at the Mbombela Stadium.

South Africa Form

Coming into the opening weekend the Springboks were slight favourites to beat the All Blacks. That was the first time in some time that the hosts had the bookies favour.

What followed showed exactly why the hosts were odds on to win the match. They dominated from the outset with New Zealand hardly ever looking dangerous. On the odd occasion that they did, Malcolm Marx stood up and won a penalty in front of a very noisy crowd.

The South African performance was not without concern. They dominated the set pieces and tight exchanges; they were all over the visitors in all physical exchanges and were by far the better side in the aerial battle.

However, the hosts, despite all that dominance, could only score two tries. Once from an up-and-under that Jordie Barrett fumbled and the other from a dropped pass that Willie le Roux took advantage of.

The Springboks are still struggling to create much with ball in hand but for now their ferocious defence looks to be enough to see off the once mighty All Blacks.

South Africa Team News

Kurt-Lee Arendse has been suspended following his red card. This could mean Willie le Roux makes his way back into the side but we are more likely to see Gelant slot in on the wing. There are a number of options for the coaches.

Duane Vermeulen has also been declared fit and should feature in some way.

New Zealand Form

New Zealand have not been in this much trouble for many years. Mostly looked upon as the rugby gods the mighty All Blacks are in a slump they could never have expected. They have now lost five of their last six matches.

On Saturday in Nelspruit the men in black just didn’t have an answer to the Bok physicality. While they held their own in the lineout and successfully stopped the hosts from getting their famous maul going, they were bullied at the breakdown and at scrum-time.

There was actually some very good defending by the All Blacks which probably kept the score down but they seldom threatened to score. How often can one say that about a New Zealand rugby side?

The try they did eventually score came from a deep break, and then in chasing a losing bonus point they dropped the ball on their own 22 and allowed the hosts to go in under the posts.

Uncharacteristic errors were strewn all over the All Black side. Although, these errors have been around since the Ireland series and coupled with their poor discipline, they look a shadow of the side they once were.

New Zealand Team News

It is no secret that should New Zealand not win at Ellis Park Ian Foster could be out of a job. This could be his biggest team selection ever, and he needs to get it right.

Running the hosts of their feet is clearly not going to work, Foster needs to get more physicality into his pack, players who can stand up to the bullying the Springboks will dish out. Expect changes this weekend.

South Africa vs New Zealand FAQ

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Verdict

South Africa v New Zealand

South Africa were utterly dominant last weekend. Unless the visitors make a strong start, this weekend could go the same way.

I am backing the Boks to cover the -5 handicap with value on the -12.5 handicap as well.

South Africa -5

Handicap

@-111.11 - 5 Units

R5,000 bonus

with bonus code NEWBONUS

18+ only. T&Cs apply. New customers only. Email must be verified prior to participation. Min deposit R50. Max bonus amount R5000. Exclusive offer when you use the bet.co.za promo code NEWBONUS.

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South Africa -12.5

Handicap

@240.00 - 2 Units

R5,000 bonus

with bonus code NEWBONUS

18+ only. T&Cs apply. New customers only. Email must be verified prior to participation. Min deposit R50. Max bonus amount R5000. Exclusive offer when you use the bet.co.za promo code NEWBONUS.

Bet at Bet.co.za