Let’s make some winter warming moola, kids
DURBAN – It’s the start of the Rugby Championship tomorrow, and New Zealand are undoubtedly the massive favourites with the bookies.
The outright prices are 2/10 for the Kiwis, Australia 7/1, Boks at 8/1 and a hefty 80/1 for the Pumas. First up, out of Sydney, ‘Straya’, it’s the revered ‘Bledisloe Cup’.
The Wallabies haven’t got their grubby paws on this bad boy since 2002, in their good ol’ days of Gregan and Mortlock. The Aussies are 9/2 at the ANZ Stadium, with a handicap of +11 points.
The All Blacks are at 1/4, but the value is in the handicap at 9/10, so go - 11 points here.
Later on at our famous Kings Park Stadium, we face Argentina in a must-win home game. There is an air of expectation for Rassie’s manne - and great curiosity to see if this new look side can kick on to next year’s showpiece, with a hope of competing against the might of the All Blacks.
The Boks’ price is 1/10 versus Argentina at 11/2, with the spread 16 points. The price is a joke, so the question is, can we put three tries over a buoyant Pumas team? Los Pumas will want to show up, first up, now that they have a new man in charge in Mario Ledesma. Mario will draw on his experience from his playing days and the Jaguares momentum from Super Rugby. Sangoma says go +16 points here, as they should be better than they were in the June Tests.
* Don’t forget to catch the ever entertaining NPC, known as the ‘Mitre 10 Cup’. This is the sauce if you want to see a running game. The only waar is you need to be up early to catch the games. Look into Wellington, Auckland (yes the same one) and Taranaki (shout out Binikos) as an early morning ‘NZ Treble’.
* Moving along to English footy, it’s a full buffet with some jolly grubbers to punt. Some so called “bankers”, if you will.
Everton are at home to Southampton, and you should go the Toffees to triumph at Goodison Park. Then it’s the pointless Leicester versus Wolves. The former champions (remember that!) will come alive after dropping points at United and will win their first home fixture. Watch the laaitie Demarai Gray, he will be up in the stats this season.
Next up it's Tottenham (we don’t have a home) Hotspurs versus Fulham. Spurs will win this game at their adopted Wembley. The other Londoners, West Ham, face Bournemouth and the Hammers are sure to bounce back and notch their maiden 3 points under Senor Pellegrini. Other footy picks go like this; Monaco 5/10, LA Galaxy 6/10, Celtic and Barcelona 2/10 with Juventus and PSG at 3/10 the pair. These picks should do the trick to boost your pay-out.
* Local diski is looking quite the treat this year (so far), with some sauce being shown last weekend from a couple of spans. Friday Night lights sees the ‘Team of Choice’ Maritzburg at home to the ‘Cheese Boys’, Kaizer Chiefs. The visiting team fans were calling the league after the opening day. They then drew to Baroka midweek - and were even lucky to get the point!
So, we get the point, Glamour Boys. You will win Dololo this season. Back to proper teams, Cape Town City (13/10) host our home boys, Golden Arrows (21/10). The value sits in backing ‘Abafana Besthende’ at that price, but let’s go ‘Win + Draw’, if you want to back the KZN team.
For control. Wits vs Supersport will be a goodie, but back the students over the super expensive channel boys. Then it’s Chippa (11/10) at home to Black Leopards (5/2), and we like an upset for the new boys - or ‘Win +draw’ at 1/1. Lastly, make sure you back Sundowns in their CAF fixture tonight.
Just to kick-off a profitable weekend ka stayela!
Sangoma, over like trout!
The Mercury