South Africa vs British & Irish Lions
31st July 1700hrs
Rugby – South Africa
Pick Lions to win
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 23:19 GMT on July 28th, 2021
It is on to the second of three Tests between South Africa and the Lions on Saturday.
It was first blood drawn by the tourists who produced a fightback to claim the win in the opening foray.
But the Lions are fully expecting the reigning World Champions to hit back and hit back hard.
Table of Contents
South Africa Preview – Can the Springboks bounce back?
South Africa held the upper hand at the halftime break in the opening test of this series.
The Springboks were 12-3 up at the halftime break and looking firmly in control of things.
All of those points had come from the boot of Handre Pollard.
But they couldn’t stop the fightback from the tourists and fell 17-22.
Since winning the World Cup in late 2019, South Africa had played only one Test match ahead of this series.
That was a victory over Georgia as part of their warm-ups for this series.
So naturally, there were always going to be questions about their full fitness levels over 80 minutes.
They did look to be tiring in the final quarter of the match, understandably so.
But that first test could have gone either way, with some super-close decisions denying the Boks.
This is make or break for them now as far as this series goes.
In the match outright, the win for South Africa is at a quote 11/10* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on July 28th, 2021).
They had also been underdogs for the first test.
Can the Springboks get themselves back into this? We would imagine that another powerful start is coming.
A South Africa Half Time option for rugby betting is at a quote of even money* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on July 28th, 2021).
The Springboks have a very powerful front row but they never really got a foothold in the scrum in the first match.
That’s one area in which they have to improve.
Their loss at the Cape Town Stadium leaves them winless there on home turf since September 2014.
British & Irish Lions Preview – Lions make changes
There have been three changes made to the starting line up for the Lions on Saturday.
Prop Mako Vunipola, scrum-half Conor Murray and centre Chris Harris all get a starting spot.
Those are at the expense of Rory Sutherland, Ali Price and Elliot Daly.
This then is huge, a chance to wrap up the series with a game in hand and avoid the pressure of a decider.
The match win for the British & Irish Lions in rugby betting is at a quote of 10/11* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on July 28th, 2021).
Again, one of the key factors for the tourists is likely to be the changes from the bench in the second half.
They grew into the game last weekend in the second half but still did have to survive a late and somewhat desperate onslaught from the Springboks.
The only defeat that the Lions have suffered on this tour was against South Africa A.
But that’s all behind them now and they hold the advantage.
They will know that the wounded Springboks are going to come at them hard and this is likely to be an even bigger physical test than last week.
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A British & Irish Lions -1 handicap is at a quote of even money for the contest* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on July 28th, 2021).
It’s expected to be that tight.
The Lions did struggle with the kicking game of South Africa last weekend, something that they will have to be wary of again.
But to their credit, they matched the hosts in physicality through the early stages.
They were also able to keep South Africa’s big players like Cheslin Kolby relatively quiet.
It wasn’t until the game started opening up after the break that the Lions started to press home their fitness advantage.
South Africa vs British & Irish Lions Betting Advice
To start with for rugby betting, Luke Cowan-Dickie as an anytime try scorer has to be worth a play at 11/4* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on July 28th, 2021).
He touched down last week for the Lions and has been in tremendous form on this tour.
So can the Lions get across the finish line? It is probably the second half that is going to be all-telling.
Key Facts – South Africa vs British & Irish Lions Betting Tip
- South Africa were 12-3 at head at HT last weekend
- South Africa are winless in Cape Town since 2014
- British & Irish Lions won the First Test 22-17
The Lions know that they are going to be under some big physical pressure early on, but they look the more likely of the two.
South Africa did look a fatigued side through the second half of the first Test. The Lions got stronger and have deeper options off the bench.
Perhaps the same scenario is worth rolling with again.
A South Africa/Lions Half Time/Full Time option is at a quote of 5/1* (odds recorded 23:19 GMT on July 28th, 2021).
The best betting odds for South Africa vs British & Irish Lions
South Africa to win: 11/10 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
British & Irish Lions to win: 10/11 at Bet365
