After taking a hammering in the spreads markets on Saturday morning I desperately needed the Boks to win to keep my 3-0 series bet alive. They duly obliged but only after making me sweat before landing one of the best kicks under pressure I have ever seen. 

One thing I have learnt over the years is that I am wrong more often than I would like to admit when it comes to judging the ability of coaches and players. 

When Santana took over the controls of Bafana Bafana I confidently forecast this to be the beginning of the end for local football and when Peter de Villiers first selected Jacobs at centre I lambasted the decision as a step backwards. Well Santana has done ok and Jacobs had a brilliant 2008 although my comments back then would perhaps seem more appropriate now. 

The reason for this intro is that Morne Steyn was another “mistake” on my part and even half way through this season I never considered him more than a very good provincial player.

My mind began to change as the Super 14 drew to its conclusion and on Saturday Steyn confirmed that he is indeed a world class player winning the game with one of the sweetest strikes I have ever seen. I reckon that kick would have done over had he been another 5 metres back. There is more to his game than just kicking though and his all round play is comfortably up to international standard as well. 

That is just as well as I was in serious trouble on Saturday with the Lions leading until deep into the match and given my bet was a 3-0 series win the draw would not have helped me either. Those who read and contribute to our sports betting and discussion forum will have known that I took a hammering in the spreads and having to write this 10 unit punt off on Saturday would really have hurt. Thank goodness it remains on track though and my preview of the 3rd and final test will be on Goodforthegame tomorrow. 

My Andy Murray bet is also hanging in there at the time of writing but he certainly needs to raise his game to compete with the likes of Federer and even Roddick. I fiddled around on the tennis a bit dropping 5.5 units on individual matches and am taking a real hammering in our Wimbledon tipping comp. 

Anthony Kim kept me interested in the golf until close to the end but I drew a blank in the end writing off 10 units in the Travelers Championship. This week’s preview will be posted later today. 

This coming weekend is a big one for me with the Durban July and Tour de France over and above the rugby and tennis. Stay close to Goodforthegame for more on these and if you are a Tour fan drop me a line at brent@goodforthegame.co.za and I will stick you on my mailing list. 

There is also World Series of Poker and I have suggested a few bets in my preview of the Top South African market. 

BETTING SUMMARY (Year to Date)

Balance after week 24: +61.11 units 

Week 25 result: -17.5 units

Running balance: +43.61 units 

Pending Bets

F1: 2 units Button for the title at an average of 53/1

Lions Series: 10 units Boks 3-0 at 16/10

Wimbledon: 10 units Murray to win at 4.23/1

Poker: 4 units Top SA Player (Brauer 12/1, Soon 33/1, Eber 33/1)

Check out our Durban July section where we will be tracking the betting and bringing you some unique angles on this great race including an interview with Neil Andrews.

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