Ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship games, we are putting our head on the block and picking our winners from the two matches.
Australia and New Zealand open proceedings in Sydney, where the home team will hope to make it successive victories over the world champions, before South Africa host Argentina in Durban.
The Currie Cup and Mitre 10 Cup also take place over the weekend and we will be predicting the outcome of those contests.
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Australia v New Zealand
Preview: Arch rivals Australia and New Zealand resume hostilities when they face off in this year’s Rugby Championship opener in Sydney on Saturday.
Prediction: Like last year’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Brisbane there will be plenty of thrilling action and don’t be surprised if this match also goes down to the wire with the All Blacks sneaking in by a narrow margin. New Zealand to win by four points.
South Africa v Argentina
Preview: Argentina coach Mario Ledesma will be looking to get his reign off to a positive start when his side face the Springboks in Durban on Saturday.
Prediction: The hosts to have too much muscle. Springboks to win by 10 points.
CURRIE CUP
Pumas v Griquas: Pumas by 8
Free State Cheetahs v Blue Bulls: Free State Cheetahs by 3
MITRE 10 CUP
Auckland v Counties Manukau: Auckland by 7
Bay of Plenty v Taranaki: Taranaki by 8
Wellington v Otago: Wellington by 10