Predictions: Rugby Championship, Round One

The opening weekend of the 2017 Rugby Championship starts on Saturday with Australia hosting New Zealand before South Africa face Argentina.

As expected the All Blacks are heavy favourites to retain their crown and such is their grip on the title that much of the talk has been centred on the battle between the Wallabies, Springboks and Pumas for second place. Those three will be desperate to avoid last position.

So who do we think will come out on top this weekend? Find out below and also in our match previews where you can vote on the scorelines.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

First things first, register your team to play our Rugby Championship fantasy game with our friends over at SuperBru. It should be good fun.

Australia v New Zealand

Preview: The form book doesn’t look good too for Australia as the All Blacks have won their last five matches against them, the last time they won more was a 10-game streak from 2008 to 2010. Furthermore, last year’s match in Sydney saw the All Blacks romp to a 42-8 victory.

Prediction: An away victory for us in what should be a highly entertaining Rugby Championship clash. New Zealand to prevail by 18 points.

South Africa v Argentina

Preview: The last time the sides met the Argentines emerged 26-24 victors in the second round of the 2016 Rugby Championship in Salta. The Boks will be desperate to exact their revenge for this defeat and show they are a much-improved outfit from their 2016 annus horribilis.

Prediction: We expect the Boks to be a much tougher proposition this year and emerge victorious on Saturday, especially in Port Elizabeth where they have such a good record. Lions duo Malcolm Marx and Andries Coetzee will be key to their performance. We go South Africa by 15.

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