New Zealand vs South Africa - Value with the Springboks against stuttering All Blacks

An age-old rivalry resumes on Saturday at the Westpac Stadium as New Zealand host South Africa in the 2019 Rugby Championship. There is little to separate the two teams with the Springboks having bridged the gap to the All Blacks in recent years and the value is with Rassie Erasmus' side.

Steve Hansen's team limped to a 20-16 win over Argentina in their last match in an error-strewn performance. There were some flashes of brilliance from Beauden Barrett but the team as a whole was poor.

At least New Zealand have some star players returning to the team, namely Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks and Joe Moody.

The All Blacks certainly have every chance of claiming the win but at odds of 1.25, there is very little value in backing the hosts.

A 35-17 win over Australia at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday was far more comprehensive than expected for an experimental Springbok side.

Rassie Erasmus has kept just three of the players who started that match in his XV, having sent several key players to New Zealand to men in advance for the All Blacks showdown.

The Springboks' 36-34 win over New Zealand at this venus last year means they have a psychological advantage. There is no guarantee that South Africa will get the win but they certainly do have the value, backed at 1.90 at a +11.5 handicap.

The All Blacks' spell of dominance over the Springboks appears to be drawing to a close as they won one game apiece against each other in last year's Rugby Championship. Each match saw the away side emerge on top in a tight contest.

Keep an eye on set pieces as two key players and leaders go head to head in Duane Vermeulen and Kieran Read.

South Africa have given the All Blacks a good fight at the very least in all of their last three encounters, beating them in Wellington last time. Expect this one to go to the wire with the Springboks tipped in the +11.5 handicap market.

Best Bet: South Africa +11.5 Handicap @ 1.90 at Hollywoodbets