Rugby World Cup bronze final: Springboks to beat patched up Pumas

Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | October 29, 2015

South Africa v Argentina

Springboks dominate head-to-heads

South Africa have lost just one Test against Rugby World Cup bronze final foes Argentina in history, and the injury-hit Pumas have it all to do to get the better of the Springboks in this match that nobody really wants to be in.

Coral side with Heyneke Meyer’s men, making them odds-on 3/10 favourites for victory in 80 minutes and evens to cover a nine-point handicap, while the Argentines are 10/3 to repeat their Durban upset from the Southern Hemisphere Rugby Championship back in August.

South Africa’s summer slump is firmly behind them now, however, and that loss to the Pumas was swiftly avenged when they met in Buenos Aires in a Rugby World Cup warm-up friendly.

Hero Habana has terrific try record in fixture

Seven of Springboks tryscoring hero Bryan Habana’s 64 crossings have come in 11 Test outings against Argentina, so it’s no wonder he’s the 5/4 favourite in the anytime market.

Whether or not he’ll still be playing international rugby come 2019 remains to be seen, so this might be his World Cup swansong. Habana has served his country superbly, announcing himself on the elite stage with three tries in South Africa’s 2004 tour of Britain.

Over a decade later he is still delivering, with a classy hat-trick against the USA moving him level with New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu as the Rugby World Cup’s all-time leading tryscorer. Just one more crossing is needed to make the record belong solely to Habana, and he is available in a superbly enhanced 9/4 wincast. Punters can stake up to £20 on this.

Puma injury problems

As Argentina lost top try threat Juan Imhoff, centre Juan Martin Hernandez and hooker and captain Agustin Creevy in their semi-final loss to Australia, it’s very difficult to envisage a weakened Pumas XV pouncing here.

Fly half Nicolas Sanchez has proved his fitness, though, and his kicking from penalties remains a key component of their side. Front row players Ramiro Herrera and Tomas Lavanini have both spent time in the sin bin during the knockout phase, so will have to keep better discipline here if Argentina are to stand any chance.

With Marcelo Bosch and Joaquin Tuculet left out, winger Santiago Cordero will have to bear the Pumas try threat alone at 2/1 in the anytime market. Centre Matias Moroni has crossed a couple of time at the tournament, and is 7/2 to go over again.

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Coral’s top tip: Side with terrific tryscorer Habana and a South Africa victory in normal time by taking that nicely enhanced 9/4 wincast staking a maximum of £20.