Betting predictions for South Africa vs Scotland: Rugby World Cup tips and odds
Our betting expert has three South Africa vs Scotland tips for the Rugby World Cup Pool A game at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille on Sunday (4.45pm BST kick-off). Scroll down to see the analysis behind his selections.
South Africa vs Scotland betting tips
Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
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Scots to push Boks hard
South Africa’s wins over Wales and New Zealand felt like a statement and they have recovered from losing stalwarts Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am to injury.
Both were excellent four years ago, but the Springboks have become more expansive without them.
That is not to say they have moved markedly away from their traditional game plan and they retain their edge up front, with the Boks’ giant pack always looking to set a platform.
The Scots can also hold their own in the tight but their back line, directed by fly half Finn Russell, is their strength. Gregor Townsend’s team thrives in open space and will look to move the Bok forwards around to try to create opportunities.
Russell and his colleagues always seem to find the opposition’s try line and will have moments in the match where they discover their flow.
However, for all the Springboks’ newfound freedom, they are still the best team on the planet at grinding their opponents down – and have enough to edge the result.
South Africa vs Scotland tip 1: Scotland +11 handicap @ 1/1 with bet365
Arendse to announce himself
A former Sevens star, South Africa wing Kurt-Lee Arendse has taken time to reach the top in the 15-man game, but has excelled over the past year.
The 27-year-old has grabbed 11 tries in 10 Tests, including a hat-trick against Australia in the Rugby Championship, and he also went in under the posts in the warm-up win over New Zealand.
His tally includes a score at the venue for this game, the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, where he notched in his country’s 30-26 defeat to France last November.
Arendse looks to have been selected ahead of Makazole Mapimpi, with Cheslin Kolbe switching to the left wing.
His poacher’s effort in picking off Jordie Barrett’s offload against the All Blacks showed he can score savvy tries to go with the spectacular ones, and he could be dangerous.
South Africa vs Scotland tip 2: Kurt-Lee Arendse anytime try scorer @ 21/20 with bet365
Duhan handy in a double
It is also worth considering Scotland left wing Duhan van der Merwe to score a try against the country of his birth.
He lines up directly against Arendse and, with a significant size advantage, will fancy himself to outmuscle his opposite number.
Van der Merwe grabbed a try in the away warm-up match in France before crossing twice against Georgia at Murrayfield.
Facing his former countrymen is sure to act as motivation and could contribute to a high-scoring game.
South Africa scored a combined 87 points in the wins over Wales and New Zealand, and Van der Merwe to score in a match featuring over 35.5 South Africa points comes in at a decent price when paired in a bet builder.
South Africa vs Scotland tip 3: Bet builder – Duhan van der Merwe anytime try scorer and over 6.5 tries @ 9/2 with bet365
South Africa vs Scotland odds
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
