South Africa v France, Rugby Betting Preview

South Africa and France meet at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday in the first of three test matches. We take a look at the game from a betting angle.



South Africa vs France – click here to bet

The Springboks were awful in 2016 and they lost their last 4 matches of the year including defeats to England, Italy and Wales on the Northern Hemisphere tour in November. They only just edged Ireland 2-1 in their mid-year Internationals in South Africa and their most recent victory was at this ground back in October when they beat Australia 18-10.

France won 3 of their 5 Six Nations matches and ended up finishing 3rd on the log. They beat Italy by 22 points on the road but lost to Ireland by 10 in Dublin and England by 3 points in London, a game they looked set to win at one stage.

These sides last met in 2013 with South Africa edging France 19-10 in Paris and the sides have met in South Africa 6 times since the turn of the century with South Africa winning 3, France 2 and 1 drawn match. These sides haven’t met in Pretoria for 37 years.



Betting

South Africa 9/20

Draw 25/1

France 18/10



Handicap

South Africa -5.5 at 9/10

France +5.5 at 9/10



Suggested bet: Winning margins, South Africa under 12.5 points at 18/10.

The French have picked a strong touring side and South Africa will be vulnerable and feeling the pressure heading into this match. I am expecting a very tense encounter and while I think South Africa can do enough to win the game I don’t expect the margin to be big.





Note: Prices correct at the time of posting but are subject to change

22/18 to FRANCE THEY HAVE A GREATE BACK LINE

I think it is a very strange betting.

Not the strongest SA team I have seen for a while. No fetcher again, I take it Jaco Kriel must still be injured. Bulls center pairing have been poor the entire Super Rugby competition. I am pleased to see that we have a half back pairing that know each other well. Tight 5 look strong.

It looks a decent French side that have played as unit for longer than our side. I would be taking the 22/10 on a French win as well as the +6,5 at 9/10.

15 stats and facts: Springboks v France
Sport24
10:03 09/06/2017
Cape Town - 15 stats and facts ahead of Saturday's Springboks v France clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

READ: Four debutants in Springboks side to face France

· The first Test match between South Africa and France took place in Bordeaux on January 11, 1913. South Africa, captained by Billy Millar, won the match 38-5, scoring nine tries in the process, which, to date, is still a Springbok match record for tries against France.

· This Test match will be the third match at Loftus Versfeld between the two countries. The previous two, in 1975 and 1980, were comfortably won by South Africa with a combined score of 70-33.


· South Africa’s record against France at home: P: 21; W: 10; L: 6; 5; PF: 438; PA: 322; Win%: 48%.

· This encounter will be the Boks’ 40th Test match against France.

· South Africa’s overall record against France: P: 39; W: 22; L: 11; 6; PF: 783; PA: 578; Win%: 56%.

· The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 265. There are 54 caps in the backline with 211 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are a further 151 caps.

· The average caps per player in the backline is eight, the forwards 26 while the players on the bench average 19.

· The average age of the starting XV is 26.

· The tallest player in the squad is Eben Etzebeth (2.04m) and the shortest Elton Jantjies and Bongi Mbonambi (1.76m). The heaviest players are Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff (125kg) and the lightest players are Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronjé and Dillyn Leyds (85kg).

· In the starting XV, only Kolisi, Etzebeth and Mtawarira have previously played against France.

· Frans Steyn last played a Test for the Springboks in September, 2012. That match was against New Zealand in Dunedin.

· Warren Whiteley is South Africa’s 58th Springbok captain. The 14th Springbok captain from the Golden Lions.

· The following Test debutants will receive Springbok numbers as follows: Ross Cronjé #882; Courtnall Skosan #883 and Andries Coetzee #884. Should Dillyn Leyds be used as a substitute his Springbok number will be #885. Raymond Rhule has not played in a Test match before, but he earned his Springbok number (#845) in 2012 while touring with the Springboks to Ireland, Scotland and England.

· Elton Jantjies needs 22 points to reach 100 points in Test rugby.

· Frans Steyn needs 18 points to reach 150 points in Test rugby.

I have taken the French half time full time
However also to scots to beat English 10/1 same bet for football

For me best bet today - Springboks - 8.5 @ 1/1 on to any horse you like . I will be surprised if they don't do it at Loftus.

Well done to the Boks great start to the season

The Boks will give NZ a hiding. Best in the World by a long way... I can see NZ players all studying and analyzing footage of todays game setting up game plans to try match the "untouchable" Springboks. :whistle:

And Allistairs job is now again safe till after the next world cup.......

Warren Laird wrote: For me best bet today - Springboks - 8.5 @ 1/1 on to any horse you like . I will be surprised if they don't do it at Loftus.

Good call Warren

2nd match today, on the 22nd anniversary of the RWC semi win over France