Australia Vs South Africa Predictions:

• Over 46.5 Total Points - 1.9 With PlayUp
• South Africa To Score First And Win - 1.8 With Bet365
• Makazole Mapimpi To Score A Try - 2.2 With Ladbrokes

When: Saturday, August 17, 7:55pm AEST

Where: Optus Stadium, Perth

Watch: Nine, 9Now, Stan

Best Odds: Australia 5.5, South Africa 1.14

As anticipated by rugby betting sites last weekend, Australia were comprehensively outclassed by world champions South Africa in the opening round of the 2024 Rugby Championship.

As is the case with the competition format nowadays, the two teams have stayed in Australia, albeit moving across to the other side of the country, where a remarkably wet day could wreak havoc at Optus Stadium.

Having been taken aback last week by the volume of noise cheering for the Springboks in Brisbane, Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt has called for Australian fans to brave the weather and step out in force to outnumber a significant South African expatriate population in Perth.

It will be nothing like last week’s Springboks line-up after head coach Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes to his team and denied it was “disrespectful” or “nonchalant” of him to do so. 

That adds a lot of variables into the win and line prospects, so we’re instead looking to some other markets offered by our favourite Australian bookmakers for what will hopefully be a more successful weekend.

Australia Vs South Africa Prediction: Rain A Factor?

The forecast for Perth the day before kickoff was a dreadful one, with 15-40mm of rain anticipated and the possibility of even a winter thunderstorm to drive some heavier rainfalls.

However, the bulk of that forecasted rain was due to take place in the late morning and early afternoon before becoming calmer in the evening. 

Australian betting apps have taken the weather, as well as last weekend’s result, into account by setting a total points mark of just 46.5 points, well below the average of 54 total points for matches involving either or both teams in 2024.

Last week’s 33-7 win for the Springboks was the first and only of their five games this year to fall below 46.5 total points, and their replacement team is packed with proven try scorers such as Cheslin Kolbe, who scored in three of his last five internationals. 

The world class drainage of the new Optus Stadium in Perth should soak up most of the rain that falls during the day and leave a playing surface that is still conducive to scoring.

Even if it does not, that could play against the Wallabies who were sloppy in the scrum and lineout set pieces last time out. 

Australia Vs South Africa Tip 1: Over 46.5 Total Points - 1.9 With PlayUp

Australia Vs South Africa Tips: Boks To Draw First Blood

Springboks players are the first ones you’d trust to walk your dog, because they certainly know how to hold a lead!

From the moment that Siya Kolisi opened the scoring in Brisbane, the result never appeared in doubt for the Springboks.

They’re by far the most dominant Tier 1 team on the planet when it comes to converting first points into a lead, holding an enormous 35-game winning streak when they register the opening try that dates back to 2018.

It has to end at some point, but it’s not likely going to be against this current Wallabies side - so if you fancy the Springboks to go 2-0, this could be a way to inject some value into your investment.

There’s also a similar market offered by Bet365 at a price of 1.53 for the team that scores first to win the game, but with the Wallabies losing the majority of their last 11 matches in which they crossed the line first, it’s not great insurance.

Australia Vs South Africa Tip 2: South Africa To Score First And Win - 1.8 With Bet365

Australia Vs South Africa Odds: Mapimpi On Hot Streak

Erasmus defended his selections by claiming that the XV he has selected for this second round would give last week’s line-up a good run in a virtual head-to-head, and winger Makazole Mapimpi is one player who could claim to walk into the starting line-up of many national teams.

The 34-year-old recorded a sparkling hat-trick at home to Portugal earlier this year, his third consecutive try-scoring appearance for club or country following the Sharks’ Challenge Cup final win over Gloucester. 

Mapimpi is rated a strong chance by rugby betting apps to cross the whitewash again, and perhaps most notably, Mapimpi’s direct opponent the last time he met the Wallabies was the recalled Marika Korobeite, and he got past Korobeite in the 70th minute en route to a 24-8 win. 

He’s another back in outstanding form for the Springboks and we’re expecting him to contribute to the ‘overs’. 

Australia Vs South Africa Tip 3: Makazole Mapimpi To Score A Try - 2.2 With Ladbrokes