The Springboks will be looking to bounce back from their worst performance in recent memory when they take on the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday. Bookies have set the line around the 8-9 point mark.

There was plenty of betting support for the Boks last week both in the outright and handicap markets where the handicap had been set at +3.5 points. Aside perhaps from the opening 10 minutes the Boks were never in the game though and those that had backed the home team knew their fate a long way from home.

The All Blacks have made two changes, both injury enforced with Weepu in for Cowan at 9 and Ranger getting a start on the wing for Rokocoko.

The Boks have resisted the temptation to make major changes and CJ van der Linde starts for Jannie du Plessis upfront while Danie Rossouw comes in for the suspended Bakkies Botha. Rossouw himself is a doubtful starter though.

BETTING

All Blacks 7/20 at World Sports Betting

Draw 25/1 generally available

Springboks 33/10 at GreatOdds

Handicap
All Blacks -7.5 at 9/10 with World Sports Betting

Springboks +8.5 at 9/10 with Victor Chandler

HISTORY

The Boks winning run over the All Blacks was broken in no uncertain terms last week, here are the last 3 clashes in New Zealand.

2010: 32-12 (AB’s by 20)
2009: 29-32 (Boks by 3)
2008: 28-30 (Boks by 2)

The teams have met 3 times at the Westpac Trust ground in Wellington with the All Blacks winning all 3:

2008: 19-8 (AB’s by 11)
2006: 35-17 (AB’s by 18)
2002: 41-20 (AB’s by 21)

New Zealand has won their last 8 tests at this ground with their last defeat coming against England in 2003.

BETTING ANGLE
It is hard to imagine the Boks playing any worse than they did last weekend but there are still question marks over certain positions especially Olivier and Januarie and fans are generally not happy with Jean de Villiers being stuck out on the wing.

The lineouts will surely improve but overall I cannot see them turning things around enough to beat a confident New Zealand side.

The handicap is well set in my opinion and while if pushed I would (and may still) take the -7.5 about the home team with World Sports Betting I am rather going to take an admittedly short price about the All Blacks winning the Tri Nations as I believe that a win here will see them very close to home and hosed.

You can get 11/20 and my advice would be to add that to a multiple thus increasing your odds on something else you fancy.

For example if you like Man United to win the EPL this season they are around 5/2.

If you take the double New Zealand to win the Tri Nations and Man U for the EPL it works out at 4.4/1 (1.55 x 3.5 = 5.4 – 1)

Back to the match itself and I will post any spread bets I take in our Forum thread where punters share their views. There is the threat of rain about and it will be important to see condition before getting involved in total points or shirts spreads.

The weekends Currie Cup Previews will be posted in our Rugby section.

Win a R5000 Trading Account at Global Trader
This and cash prizes available in our Free2Play Currie Cup handicap competition – enter at www.sportspicks.co.za

BEST BET
E-mail me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get on my mailing list – I generally send out 1 e-mail per week with my best or value bet and links to major previews.

You can follow Brent on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/brentgraham