THE MONEY MAN is putting R2,000 on the Springboks to beat Ireland in the second Test at Ellis Park.

I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. Australia versus England was a rather easy game for me to pick last week, despite all the armchair critics out there.

Let's leave that there and move along.

All Blacks vs Wales
Clear and sunny skies await the All Blacks and Wales in Wellington and although a little cold, it should make for entertaining rugby. On various sport sites, the bookies have this game down to produce 53 or more points at 9/10 and I think it's a big probability. I'm putting down R2,000 to win R1,800 plus my stake back on 53 or more points being scored in Wellington, which I think is a bargain.

Wallabies vs England
The scoreline last week flattered Australia and when you consider England spotted them a 10-point lead early in the match, it means the visitors outscored the Wallabies by 21 points as the match progressed and it should've been a lot more. Whenever a bookie favours the wrong team, it's always good value to bet with the opposing side, who in this case is England. At 12/10 England are tremendous value and a smart bet regardless of the outcome. England are a team on the up and I see nothing from Australia to suggest they can overturn last week's loss. With a R1,000 bet placing, I'm backing England to beat Australia outright to win R1,200 and my stake back. And there's another bet that I like even more. For R4,000 to win R3,320 and my stake, I take England to score 23 points or more in this game. Here are five reasons why:
– England scored 39 in Brisbane last week after a slow start initially, and should be more cohesive this week.
– In England's last four games, they scored well over 23 every time, at an average of 30.5 points per game.
– In nine out of their last 13 Tests, England have scored 23 or more points.
– England's place-kicker, Owen Farrell, is in great form and will keep the scoreboard ticking over.
– In what should be a reasonably close Test, scoreboard pressure will be paramount and England will look to add to their tally at every opportunity.

Springboks vs Wales
I'm still shaking my head over the Springboks' loss to a 14-man Ireland at Newlands. But take heart, the bookies have overcorrected the handicap in this game. I know for a fact that Ireland targeted the Cape Town match and felt they could win at Newlands. But never in Joe Schmidt's wildest dreams did he know they could win with 14 men.  I also know for a fact Ireland believe they will not win at Ellis Park and that Port Elizabeth is their best bet to claim a series win. This week's encounter will be a bridge too far for Schmidt's men. South Africa will win by a comfortable margin at Ellis Park and with that raise another false dawn. I'm putting down a R2,000 bet on the Boks to win by 12 or more to even money plus my stake.

Photo: Anne Laing/HSM Images