Boks to bash the Aussies

What's big, green and intent on world domination? No, not the Incredible Hulk but the Springboks rugby team, who currently make even a hacked-off Bruce Banner appear small. 

When South Africa showed the England side how to play rugby last month they also put down a marker to the rest of world rugby. Instead of pretty boy, fancy handling and pacy attacks the Springboks were simply saying that to win in the modern era you need size, and lots of it. With a forwards line-up that makes the wrestlers in the WWE look small fry and a backs division that takes no prisoners, the Boks are returning to basics and the roots of their game.

They meet Australia in the first game of the Tri-Nations series at Newlands in Cape Town looking to continue the momentum that has seen them being mentioned, alongside the All Blacks, as potential World Cup winners and on home ground they will be too much for the visiting team.

But what of the Wallabies? They will more than likely rest some of their older statesman to preserve them for France in September but will not want to be also-rans in the competition so expect a workmanlike performance but in truth, while the Aussies should never be written off, they have been in free-fall for some time and on paper this is an easy win for the Springboks.

As for the value bet, the Springboks forwards are lightning at the restart and with Pierre Spies and Schalk Burger bearing down on you and pumped up to make an early impression I like the sound of 6/4 for a South Africa penalty as the first scoring play as the Boks forwards force their counterparts into early errors.

Verdict: 1pt first scoring play South Africa penalty 6/4 (various)