South Africa vs Australia betting tips | Rugby Championship 2025

Best bets for South Africa v Australia

South Africa v Australia Round 2 preview

South Africa and Australia clash in Round 2 of the Rugby Championship at DHL Stadium in Cape Town this Sunday (AEST). The Springboks desperate to hit back after last week’s shock defeat in Johannesburg, with the top online bookmakers pricing them as heavy favourites.

The Wallabies overturned a 22-0 deficit to score 38 unanswered points in one of their most famous Test wins, breaking a 62-year drought at Ellis Park. That stunning result has forced Rassie Erasmus into sweeping changes as South Africa look to restore pride and keep their title hopes alive.

The Bok coach has responded with 10 changes, welcoming back seasoned campaigners Handré Pollard, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Malcolm Marx and Willie le Roux. The pack has been beefed up with RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje as part of a rejigged lineout, after their set-piece was dismantled by Australia’s back-row brilliance. Jesse Kriel captains a side under real pressure to deliver before they head to New Zealand.

Australia arrive buoyed by belief. Harry Wilson’s double, Fraser McReight’s dominance at the breakdown, and Max Jorgensen’s lethal finishing underpinned a famous win last week. Veteran James O’Connor steered the ship with experience and composure, and coach Joe Schmidt has found cohesion in a youthful squad that keeps growing in confidence. Injuries remain an issue, but the Wallabies now carry genuine momentum into Cape Town.

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South Arica vs Australia Round 2 team lineup

South Africa team lineup

15 Willie le Roux
14 Canan Moodie
13 Jesse Kriel (capt.)
12 Damian de Allende
11 Cheslin Kolbe
10 Handre Pollard
9 Grant Williams
8 Jean-Luc du Preez
7 Franco Mostert
6 Marco van Staden
5 Ruan Nortje
4 RG Snyman
3 Thomas du Toit
2 Malcolm Marx
1 Ox Nche

Bench: Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Australia team lineup prediction

15 Tom Wright
14 Dylan Pietsch
13 Joseph Sua’alii
12 Len Ikitau
11 Max Jorgensen
10 Tom Lynagh
9 Nic White
8 Harry Wilson (capt.)
7 Fraser McReight
6 Tom Hooper
5 Nick Frost
4 Will Skelton
3 Taniela Tupou
2 Billy Pollard
1 James Slipper

Bench: Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu.

Springboks vs Wallabies betting predictions

The Wallabies shocked the rugby world last week, and with the Springboks making wholesale changes, lightning can strike twice. Australia’s blend of youthful flair and O’Connor’s steady hand gives them the tools to punish a Bok side that may lack cohesion early. At close to $3.80 with BetOnline, the value is simply too good to pass up in what shapes as another history-making opportunity.

Both sides showed major defensive cracks last week, with 60 total points scored at Ellis Park. The Springboks are stacked with attacking threats in Pollard, De Allende, and Kolbe, while Australia’s backline is red-hot. Expect another open contest where tries flow freely on a fast Cape Town track, with over 55.5 total points paying $1.90 on the top rugby betting sites.

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