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New Zealand vs South Africa Odds, Picks, and Predictions

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in Rugby

Updated Sep 30, 2021 · 8:48 PM PDT

New Zealand's Ardie Savea embraces the Freedom Cup
New Zealand's Ardie Savea embraces the Freedom Cup following the Rugby Championship test match between the Springboks and the All Blacks in Townsville, Australia, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
  • New Zealand’s All Blacks are 9.5-point home favorites over South Africa’s Springboks in their Rugby Championship match on Saturday, October 2
  • South Africa (2019) and New Zealand (2015) are the past two winners of the Rugby World Cup
  • The All Blacks beat the Springboks 19-17 last week in Townsville, clinching the tournament title

It was a massive number for dalmations but 101 might not be as big a deal for New Zealand and South Africa. These two world rugby powers will contest their 101st international test match against each other Saturday on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, in the final round of the Rugby Championship.

Saturday’s 19-17 away win at South Africa over the Springboks clinched the Rugby Championship title for the All Blacks. New Zealand is 5-0 in the four-country tournament that also includes Australia and Argentina.

Oddsmakers are anticipating that the All Blacks will close out the tourney with a perfect slate. New Zealand are 9.5-point home favorites over South Africa.

New Zealand vs South Africa Odds

Team Moneyline Spread
New Zealand -475 -9.5 (-115)
South Africa +340 +9.5 (-110)
Draw +2200

Odds as of September 30th at DraftKings.

Kickoff for Saturday’s match is 6:05am ET in Queensland. The forecast is calling for cloudy skies, 3 mph wind and a temperature of 59 degrees.

Changes for New Zealand

Unhappy with how his wingers dealt with the South African kicking game, All Blacks head coach Ian Foster is implementing changes to his back line. Dropped are wingers George Bridge and Will Jordan.

In their place, Sevu Reece is being recalled to take over the right wing. Rieko Ioane shifts from center to left wing.

Iaone’s room also makes room for the return of center Anton Lienert-Brown’s return from injury. Beauden Barrett continues to be the first choice fly-half ahead of Richie Mo’unga. Barrett’s foot accounted for 14 of New Zealand’s 19 points against the South Africans.

There’s only one change to the forward pack. Luke Jacobson will return to the #8 position. He was a late scratch last week due to illness.

Springboks Slumping

Despite consecutive losses to Australia and now a setback against New Zealand, South Africa is staying the course with the side it will send out to face the All Blacks.

There’s only two changes to the starting 15 for the reigning world champions. An injury to tighthead prop Frans Malherbe is forcing Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber to juggle his front-row forwards. Trevor Nyakane shifts from loosehead to tighthead prop. Ox Nche comes into the side at loosehead prop.

One change was also made to the bench for the 23-player side. Back-row forward Jasper Wiese was recalled to replace the injured Marco van Staden.

All Blacks on a Roll

Since losing 19-7 to England in the semifinals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a setback that ended their eight-year reign as world champions, the All Blacks are proving to once again be a force to be reckoned with. They’ve absolutely steamrolled some of the world’s best rugby sides in this event.

Argentina fell 39-0 and 36-13. Rivals Australia were overcome 57-22 and 38-21.

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On the surface, with the title clinched, there might not seem much motivation for the All Blacks. That simply isn’t the case. When New Zealand takes to the rugby pitch, there’s always the motivation to prove that are world’s superior rugby side.

They’ve got a chance to complete the Grand Slam over the Wallabies and Springboks, and they will be primed to make it happen.

Pick: New Zealand -9.5 (-115)

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