Wallabies Next Game, Latest Odds and Analysis

Daire Walsh

After a strong showing in their open game of this season’s Rugby Championship, Australia now find themselves under pressure.

They are facing into the third round of The Rugby Championship against South Africa on Saturday and betting sites are ready for the kick-off.

The Wallabies appeared to be in a good place after securing a 41-26 bonus point win over Argentina in their opening game of this year’s tournament on August 6.

However, question marks have been raised as a result of a 48-17 reversal to the same opposition just seven days later.

As you might expect, this has altered the views of the oddsmakers best betting sites for rugby union in advance of back-to-back duels with the Springboks

First up this weekend is a clash between these two southern hemisphere heavyweights at the Adelaide Oval.

Dave Rennie’s side will also have home advantage a week from Saturday’s test, albeit at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

For their part, South Africa had kick-started their Rugby Championship campaign in the brightest possible fashion – overcoming New Zealand on a scoreline of 26-10 to increase the pressure on opposition head coach Ian Foster.

Yet the All Blacks remain a proud rugby team and thanks in no small part to late tries from David Havili and Scott Barrett, they got their season back on track with a 35-23 success in Johannesburg.

Australia And South Africa Both Looking To Bounce Back

Strangely, the world champions are actually coming into the third round a point adrift of second-place Australia in the standings.

It most likely won’t last, but Argentinian rugby supporters can take solace in the fact that they are currently sitting at the summit of the Championship table.

Given how both teams fared the last time out, it is interesting to see how online rugby betting sites are viewing the forthcoming showdown of Australia and South Africa.

Springboks The Favourites To Take The Spoils

When you consider that the margin of defeat for South Africa was smaller in the second round – against a more highly-regarded opponent – it is perhaps unsurprising that Jacques Nienaber’s charges are favourites to prevail on Saturday.

Unibet are currently offering odds of 1.55 on South Africa beating Australia this weekend, and that trend is repeated on other Australian betting sites.

By comparison, Betfair are rating Australia’s chances of success in Adelaide at 2.8.

When these two sides met in last season’s Rugby Championship, it was Australia who came away with a double triumph.

Both of those wins were on home soil and the Wallabies will be hoping this can be a good omen ahead of their latest encounters with the Springboks.

A Narrow Encounter Predicted

In a third-round fixture in Gold Coast, the boot of Quade Cooper guided Australia towards a narrow 28-26 success.

There was also a subsequent 30-17 victory in Brisbane, but bookmakers believe it is more likely to be a one-score game this weekend.

Bet365 are presenting odds of 5.0 on South Africa winning by a margin of between 1 to 5 points, while the same bookmaker is offering 5.5 on Australia achieving a similar triumph.

As has been the case with so many Rugby Championship tests in recent years, it is anticipated that the lead will change hands at various stages on Saturday.

Even if you viewed betting on an Australian win as a risky prospect, you could always look into the odds of 5.0 on the Wallabies leading by 1 to 5 points at half-time.

Major Test Ahead For The Wallabies

Because of the manner of their defeat to Argentina in round two – where their former head coach Michael Cheika came back to haunt them – there is no doubting this is a massive game for Australia.

While there isn’t any shame in losing to the reigning world champions in a general sense, the Australian public won’t want to see a capitulation from their side.

Their summer series with England started in winning fashion, but Eddie Jones’ men turned the tour on its head in the form of back-to-back wins.

There are far more games coming up Australia to find their top form, but a response is expected to their heavy loss the last time out. If they lose again on Saturday, Australia’s Rugby Championship 2022 betting odds could nosedive.

Although a number of them were enforced, Wallabies head coach Rennie made five changes to his starting line-up from the first Argentinian to the second.

Having named a squad of 36 for the opening two rounds, he certainly has the capacity to freshen his side again if he so desires.

New Players Getting A Chance To Impress

Rennie hasn’t relied solely on the tried and trusted of Australian rugby so far with no fewer than four players making their international test debuts during the tournament.

Jed Holloway (flanker) and Matt Gibbon (prop) were given opportunities to impress in the first Argentinian game, before front-row duo Pone Fa’amausili and Billy Pollard were added to the mix for the resulting renewal of acquaintances with the Pumas.

By contrast, South Africa didn’t name any uncapped players in their squad for the championships – albeit 11 of those in the original selection have five appearances or less in the test arena.

With a World Cup final victory in 2019 and a Lions series win only last year, the need for experimentation within the Springboks ranks is probably not as strong at the moment.

To date, Australia have played South Africa on 90 occasions in international tests, with their record currently standing at 39 wins, three draws and 48 defeats.

They will hope that, by rediscovering their groove in defence and attack, a 40th victory could be on the cards this coming weekend.

If they do pull a win out of the bag, then it could have a dramatic impact on Australia’s Rugby World Cup 2023 betting odds.