You’d be a brave punter to back the Boks after THAT performance, although you would make a pretty penny if Heyneke and the boys could pull a World Cup win out of their behinds.

Bookies have now lengthened the odds of the Springboks claiming the title to 9/1, that from local lads Sportingbet. That leaves us as fifth favourite with Sport24 reporting:

New Zealand…remain 21/20 favourites, followed by England (21/5), Australia (7/1) and Ireland (8/1)…

Despite their loss the Springboks are still favourites (1/3) to top Pool B and progress to the quarter-finals where, should they finish first, they will face the runners-up in Pool A’s ‘Group of Death’.

As bruising an encounter as Samoa should be you’d still have to back the Boks to come good during the group stages, although a quarter against one of Wales, Australia or England should then await.

I think the safest bet is to ensure the fridge is well stocked with refreshments to help ease the pain of what may well be a short stay in England.

[source:sport24]