Tri-Nations predictions: South Africa by 8

The second Tri-Nations fixture takes place this weekend and New Zealand are in action again after surviving the Wallaby onslaught last week.

The All Blacks travel to Bloemfontein to take on the Springboks, who have been nicely warmed up by the British and Irish Lions.

New Zealand looked out of sorts last week, and Australia missed an opportunity to turn them over at Eden Park. The Boks will be a different proposition though, and won’t let them off the hook so easily, and they are strong favourites to get their Tri-Nations campaign off to a winning start.

South Africa are without Schalk Burger who is serving his sentence for gouging, but the back row of Pierre Spies, Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussow is still formidable. There is strength all over the home team’s line up, and it’s no surprise that they are favourites despite having lost their last two home games to the All Blacks.

New Zealand have made two changes to the side that beat Australia with Joe Rokocoko and Brendon Leonard coming into the side to add more pace.

This match is a thrilling prospect, with firm ground, good weather and two unbelievably strong teams. I have predicted that the Boks will edge it by 8 points, and it could be more if New Zealand give them a 10-point headstart as they did last week.

What do you think? Don’t forget that you can enter your prediction at www.sportguru.co.uk and if you are right, you’ll win an iPod Shuffle.

South Africa: 15-Francois Steyn, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Jaque Fourie, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Ruan Pienaar, 9-Fourie du Preez, 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Heinrich Brussow, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Bakkies Botha, 3-John Smit, 2-Bismarck du Plessis, 1-Tendai Mtawarira.

New Zealand: 15-Mils Muliaina, 14-Joe Rokocoko, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma’a Nonu, 11-Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10-Stephen Donald, 9-Brendon Leonard, 8-Rodney So’oialo, 7-Richie McCaw, 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Isaac Ross, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Neemia Tialata, 2-Andrew Hore, 1-Tony Woodcock.

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