The Springbok game against the All Blacks was the only game I tipped on this past weekend, and wow – how disappointing given the state of South African and All Black rugby at the moment.
I bet on a -5.5 handicap for the Boks, and were I to have the chance I would make the same bet again, given the context of the two sides’ respective qualities, and the build up to the match. This All Black team, by rights, should never have hammered this Bok team the way they did.
Kudos to the All Blacks for being the dominant side for the entire first half, and the final fifteen minutes of the second half. It was a travesty to watch the Springboks, so good the previous week, play such silly rugby the following weekend. It was tough to watch the shambolic calls of referee Luke Pearce too.
Pearce played his part in nullifying the Boks, awarding cynical penalties in an incredibly inconsistent officiating performance, but the Boks were their own biggest enemies on the night. The mentality was not there to back up the emphatic victory of the previous week, and the 35-23 final score, at Emirates Airline Park (previously Ellis Park) was an embarrassment.
The Springboks reverted to stupid rugby, and played not only into the All Blacks hands, but played the All Blacks jersey rather than the quality of the opposition in those jerseys.
Perhaps New Zealand will now hang on to Ian Foster, which will be the wrong decision for them but the best possible outcome for the rest of the world.
At least I’m not a Man United fan though, because wow what a terrible night Saturday must have been for South Africans supporting United, who watched their team go down 4-0 against Brentford. The club is a shambles, I have little faith Ten Hag is the answer, and there is not much on the way that promises to turn fortunes around.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sunday evening’s contest between Spurs and Chelsea, which saw 96th minute drama and a 2-2 victory, as well as some heat between Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel. It’s always great to see some personality and passion among the Premier League managers. Sunday was reminiscent of Mourinho days.
I’m loving having the Premier League back, especially when it can act as a buffer to Saturdays where the Springboks disappoint as they did.
Let’s hope there’s a serious revaluation in the Springbok camp before they travel to Australia, and let’s hope my beloved Leeds continue to not lose!
Until next week folks
MoneyMan
