The Springboks go into their first test match against the British & Irish Lions as the 4/11 favourites to secure a victory. Lions pay out at 2/1 while the draw pays a hefty 20/1. The bookmakers have only set the 80 minute handicap at -7.0 for South Africa and a handicap tie will pay out at 16/1.
The first-half handicap is set at -3.0 for South Africa while Lions +3.0 pays out at evens. The second-half handicap is -4.0 for South Africa and pays out at 10/11.
South Africa to win both halves pays out at 8/11 while Lions to win both halves pays out at a hefty 7/2. Draw/South Africa pays 18/1 while Draw/Lions pays 25/1. If British * Irish Lions just manage to squeak this one, you can back them to win by less than five at a price of 6/1- their best odds on the winning margin. A 6-10 point Lions margin pays out at 8/1.
In the tryscorer markets, Bryan Habana is the favoured anytime scorer with an 11/8 price. JP Pietersen is at 7/4 while Jean De Villiers is 2/1. Adi Jacobs, Brian O'Driscoll, Ugo Monye, Francois Steyn, Tomy Bowe and Jaque Fourie are all listed at 9/4. Jamie Roberts, Pierre Spies and Morne Steyn are at 5/2.
Bryan Habana is 8/1 to score the first try of the match.
The first scoring play is listed slightly to be a South Africa penalty at 13/8 while a Lions penalty will pay out at a mere 15/8. A South Africa Try is 9/2 while a Lions Dry is 7/1. A Drop goal pays out at 12/1 for the Springboks and 20/1 for the Lions.
I'm backing the Lions to buck the trend and get the job done here. They've been in decent form so far on this tour and this will, literally, be their biggest test. I think O'Driscoll is set for a top match and this will be an excellent 80 minutes for the Rugby Union purists.
1. English only, please.
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