bandilionsCouch Critic previews South Africa v Georgia, New Zealand v Tonga and Gauteng Lions v B&I Lions including best bets and tryscorer specials with @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

 

International rugby is finally back on our screens and it’s not only the British and Irish Lions who are out on the prowl this weekend. Let’s look at what to sink our teeth into from a betting perspective.

 

South Africa vs Georgia – Friday 02 Jul @ 19:00, Pretoria

 

Georgia were hand-pick to be the ideal warm-up opponent for Nienaber’s Boks as they come out of their 20 month test match hiatus (okay, more like they were the last ones left after the schoolyard game of “pick em” was done and thus they were the lucky nation to be invited for pre-drinks but not the main party).

 

The Georgians are known for being a bunch of hard buggers and they are sure to be dead keen to give it their all against the World Champions. The Springboks will be a bit rusty and the selectors have gone for a bit of a combined team between tested combos and giving new players a run.

 

The Bok machine is bound to look, feel and sound a bit clunky for periods of this first test but I still feel there will be enough glimpses of class from the hosts to get them over this bar with some room to spare on Friday evening at Ellis Park.

 

Betolimp Bets:

 

First Georgia Tryscorer: Jaba Bregvadze @ 11.00

First Tryscorer: Pieter-Steph du Toit @ 15.00

Last Tryscorer: Herschel Jantjies @ 13.00

Anytime Tryscorer: Kwagga Smith @ 1.90

 

I remember being a big fan of Bregvadze the Georgian hooker during the World Cup so despite the fact that I figure it could prove tough for Georgia to breach the Bok defence I will have a nibble. Pieter-Steph proved his diesel engine is already back up and running whilst Jantjies is always dynamic off the bench.

 

New Zealand vs Tonga – Saturday 03 July @ 09:05, Auckland

 

Okay who decided this was a good idea? From the sound of things its almost like the Tongans put an add in the New Zealand Herold advertising a few slots up for grabs if someone was willing and able to pitch up with a clean bill of health and a pair of boots… One has to fear for what could be in store for the islanders if the Kiwis pitch up in a mood – the whole of Tonga can only hope that there is some mercy shown from the men in black.

 

Betolimp Bets:

 

First Tryscorer: Akira Iona @ 12.00

Last Tryscorer: Finlay Christie @ 21.00

Asafo Aumua to score 2 or more tries @ 4.33

 

Gauteng Lions vs B&I Lions – Sat 03 July @ 18:00, Johannesburg

 

The Bulls got brought down to size quite badly when they tested their strength against the Italians a few weeks ago. Now the local Lions are tasked with having to show whether they have the growl to mix it with the cream of the crop, hand-picked from the best the British and Irish have to offer.

 

Gatland seems to have picked a side that will test the effectiveness of their altitude replicating training camp as the likes of Hogg and Russell should be keen to keep the ball in hand and play fast, attacking rugby. Of course, the local lads don’t play at a stadium sponsored by an airline for nothing – they will come out giving the ball plenty of air (out of hand rather than via the boot). The tourists are bound to be found huffing and puffing and standing with their hands on their knees, hopefully a few times under their own posts.

 

Betolimp Bets:

 

HT/FT Margin: British & Irish Lions 9+ / British & Irish Lions (1-12) @ 19.00

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the visiting Lions start strong but a combination of rust, collapsing lungs and coasting home seeing them not pull too far clear.

 

Rabs Maxwane to score two or more tries in the match @ 17.00

First Trycorer: Louis Rees-Zammit @ 7.50

Last Tryscorer: Morné van den Berg @ 56.00

 

(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)

 

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