Rugby Championship Predictions – Round 4

The earlier game is in Sydney, where the Wallabies will seek to make it back-to-back wins over the Pumas. Who will prevail in these crucial clashes? Check out our predictions below.

Australia v Argentina

Saturday, 13 September – 06:00

After last weekend’s thriller in Townsville went down to the 86th minute, another close contest is expected between these two teams. The Wallabies’ campaign, which started with a legendary comeback to beat the Boks 38-22 at Ellis Park, has been built on grit, and it’s that grit that enabled them to produce another epic come-from-behind win last weekend.

Down 21-7 at halftime, the Australians remained composed and snatched a 28-24 win in the end thanks to an Angus Bell try. They’re in second place as a result, one point behind New Zealand, with the Pumas in last place and in do-or-die mode this week.

For the hosts, it’s imperative to get off to a better start. We haven’t seen them control games this campaign, and that’s the next step in their progression that Joe Schmidt will want to see from his troops. For the visitors, it’s about maintaining high standards after dropping off and allowing Australia back into the game through errors last weekend.

Argentina would’ve likely targeted the Townsville clash. Winning in Sydney is not foreign to them, but their best shot at getting one over these Wallabies has come and gone. I see the hosts edging it…again.    

Prediction: Australia by 4.

Suggested Bet: Argentina +5 at 1.90.

New Zealand v South Africa

Saturday, 13 September – 09:05

After the disappointing 24-17 defeat at Eden Park, the Boks have their backs against the wall. A wounded animal is a dangerous one, and the Boks will do everything in their power to prevail at Sky Stadium.

It’s a must-win for the third-placed men in Green and Gold to retain the Freedom Cup and keep their hopes of winning the Southern Hemisphere showpiece back-to-back for the first time alive.

The ever-unpredictable Rassie Erasmus named a match-23 no one was expecting on Monday. In a case of out with the old and in with the new, the Bok coach backed a new-look backline to fire shots at the expense of his most experienced and trusted 10-12-13 combination.

Erasmus isn’t scared of making bold decision, and this is arguably his boldest yet, given what’s at stake. It’s very much an attacking team, so instead of doing what most expected and going back to basics, it seems like South Africa will continue down the Tony Brown-laid path and play with pace and width.

Even more so than the Wallabies, the Boks can’t afford another bad start. History has shown it’s a near-impossible task to play catch-up rugby against the Kiwis, and falling behind early could be especially catastrophic this weekend given the lack of experience in the back division.

The All Blacks weren’t overly impressive last weekend, so the Boks – with Lood de Jager starting to re-establish the lineout as an attacking launch pad and powerhouse No. 8 Jasper Wiese back from his suspension – are in with a shout. This is Wellington after all, where the Boks sealed their most recent win over their arch-rivals in New Zealand in 2018 – a 36-34 triumph. They also drew the last meeting there 16-all in 2019.

That said, the Boks look set to play into the All Blacks’ hands. Can they win a fast-paced shootout? Yes, if they take all of their opportunities and eliminate the soft moments on defence that cost them dearly last weekend. However, it’s a heck of a lot to ask from a backline that’s never played together.

Greater continuity should see the All Blacks do the double over Erasmus’ men and consolidate their position at the top of the table.

Prediction: New Zealand by 7.

Suggested Bet: New Zealand -4 at 1.90.