- 3pts - South Africa to win (11/10, Skybet)
- 1pt - Cheslin Kolbe to score a try (9/4, general)
United they stand
People talk about how the Springboks have only played together once (a comfortable win against Georgia) since they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time in November 2019, but they know each other well and are well used to the tried and tested game-plan.
The Lions, however, have not yet settled on their favoured combinations. Only the midfield partnership of Robbie Henshaw and Elliot Daly has played together before, and that was against the Stormers in what was effectively a training exercise. Coming up against Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am will be a different proposition altogether.
Kolbe’s feet
The little magician can beat defenders in a phone box and will relish his little versus large encounter with Duhan van der Merwe. Past history suggests van der Merwe won’t be able to turn and recover his ground quickly enough if beaten by one of Kolbe’s trademark steps. Josh Adams would have been our pick instead.
Cunning Rassie
Is there anyone better at mind games than the Springboks’ DoR turned water boy?
Rassie Erasmus is one up on Warren Gatland in the psychological battle having inspired South Africa A to a win against the Lions less than a fortnight ago in what was billed as the unofficial 4th Test, and you can get he’ll have a trick or two up his sleeve this weekend.
Berry good … for SA
Not much has been made of the referee appointments for this Test series but, with high tackles such a priority nowadays, they could have a massive influence on the outcome.
Berry is something of a ‘lucky’ official for South Africa. The Australian former scrum-half is only 19 Tests into his refereeing career but has already overseen the Springboks’ famous 16-16 draw against the All Blacks and also their big RWC 2019 quarter-final win against Japan.
Leadership void
Alun Wyn Jones has been hailed for his Lazarus-like qualities in bouncing back so quickly from a dislocated shoulder but he’s only had half a game to test it out and you can be sure the Springboks will want to give it a proper examination with some trademark big hits.
Should jones go off early on, it leaves a bit of a leadership void in the forwards, where this game will be decided.
The main leaders other than Jones are backs, Stuart Hogg and Dan Biggar. Should anything happen to the world’s most-capped player and he has to leave the field early on, it places a big onus on Maro Itoje to step up at a time when his hands will already be full trying to combat Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert.
