When the 2nd test match between the Springboks and Lions licked off at Loftus last Saturday you would have been able to get very long odds that I would not be in front of a TV and an even longer price that I would be curled up in bed fast asleep. 

That though was the case though due to a rough week with plenty of travelling and very little sleep combined with the financial pounding I had taken that morning where I made a certain spreads bookmaker very happy as the Australians and All Blacks let me down only scoring 4 tries between them against their Northern Hemisphere opposition. 

I decided that chasing my losses in the final match of the day would not be a wise move and headed off to dreamland knowing that my main bet for the series of the Boks to win 3 tests to nil was at least still running. I fancied them strongly in front of the Blue Bulls faithful and consoled myself that I would probably be waking up to good news. 

It was about 16h20 when I finally stuck my head out from the covers to check my cell phone which had a number of messages insulting the French ref on it but no score. 

I sent a message to one mate I knew would be quick to respond and my head dropped when I saw 16-8 Lions with 20 to go. 

The punting Gods looked set to deliver their knockout punch and not holding out much hope I shuffled duvet and all into the lounge switching on the TV to a 15-19 scoreline in favour of the visitors. 

What happened in the last 15 minutes of that game was enough to put a faint smile back on my face as the Boks rallied showing the never say die attitude they are famous for. Jacques Fourie scored a brilliant try in the corner but it ultimately came down to the last minute penalty from Morne Steyn which sailed between the uprights from inside his own half. 

What a kick. The Boks had burgled a victory and back on his couch at home a weather beaten punter had something of a sparkle in his eye as he hoped his punting fortunes had turned for the better. Come on boys finish the job on Saturday.

This article first appeared in the Citizen CitiGaming section on Thursday 02 July 2009

Brent Graham is a blogger on www.goodforthegame.co.za and presents a sports betting radio show every Saturday morning at 07h30 on 1485AM Radio Today or Channel 169 of the DSTV Audio Bouquet. 

You can follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/brentgraham or get on his mailing list by dropping him a line at brent@goodforthegame.co.za

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