South Africa vs Scotland Betting Tips: Predictions for first game of South Africa's World Cup defence

Scottish rugby fans must be cursing their luck. One of the best teams the nation has assembled in living memory is set to head to France ranked fifth in the world and renowned for playing a brilliant style of rugby. The problem? In their pool await the nations ranked  1 & 2!

The Scots are a pessimistic bunch at the best of times but having to eliminate one of Ireland and South Africa to advance to the knock-outs is a harsh twist of fate. Nevertheless, the Bravehearts will give it their all and what better way to announce to the world that they are genuine contenders here in France than by taking the scalp of the defending champions in their opening game?

Although not convinced the Scots can quite pull off the upset, Billy Grimshaw thinks they'll give a decent account of themselves to begin their Rugby World Cup adventure and has a couple of recommended bets for what should be a thrilling game in Marseille.

It is tough to find a scenario more quintessentially Scottish than the one facing this brilliant rugby team at the World Cup. As mentioned in the introduction they have an almighty job on to qualify through this absolutely vicious pool and advance to the quarter finals. Ireland have had their number recently in clashes in the Six Nations and beyond, while South Africa are many people's fancy to defend their crown in France off the back off a pack of forwards that are the envy of the rest of World Rugby.

Do I think Scotland's swashbuckling style will be enough to cause the upset here? No, I don't. However, I do believe the Bravehearts are being slightly underestimated in the handicap markets when analysing South Africa's historic World Cup form. The Springboks are a formidable opponent at anytime in any tournament, but haven't always been the fastest of starters. If the Scots can unsettle them here by moving the big pack from side to side and trying plenty of trick plays, the crowd will get behind them and who knows, panic may set in amongst the Springboks.

They'll probably still have enough to win with a star studded side containing Cheslin Kolbe's dancing feet and the inspirational leader Soya Kolisi. With Malcom Marx a constant menace as the centrepiece of an enormous front row, South Africa will look to dominate Scotland early and keep their foot on the throat throughout. Maybe they'll manage it, but I think there is enough upside in Scotland's handicap price in the hope they manage to start playing expansively to get them onside.

I'm not afraid to say, this could look a pretty daft tip early on in this game if the Springboks come out all guns blazing and take the game to Scotland from minute one. They were awesome against New Zealand last time out and their forward pack on its day can bully any other set in World Rugby, never mind Scotland's tough but small battalion. Both teams here know that a win in this game would be monumental for their chances of qualification and, for South Africa in particular, a big win could stick the pressure onto Ireland to put up a big score when they face the Scots later in the group stage.

Scotland will not be happy playing the role of whipping boys for the big two however and with both teams knowing what is at stake, I'm banking on both being at their best from minute one and the Scots being able to stick in with the Boks. I'm expecting an explosive start from the South African pack (more about that later) and would be worried if Scotland's defence looked like men against boys, but I do believe the Scots have a style which can continually trouble the reigning World Champions.

If South Africa get into an early lead I don't see Scotland panicking and I think they can find ways to bamboozle their higher profile opponents. Beating a team this much bigger than you is no mean feat but there can be joy aplenty found by moving the big bodies round and executing slick passing moves combined with a clever kicking game. Finn Russell is the man for this and although I do think South Africa will prove too strong in the end, Scotland can make a right game of it and with an 11 start I'll be siding with the Bravehearts.

Avid readers of our Rugby World Cup content will have seen I am sweet on a couple of Boks for the top try-scorer gong at this tournament and the first is favourite to open the scoring here, Cheslin Kolbe. Possessing the most dazzling step in world rugby and with pace to burn, the pocket rocket will undoubtedly bag a big number of tries this tournament posted on the wing causing chaos for South Africa's opponents.

As short as 6/1 to open the scoring, however, he makes little appeal in this market and it is my other more outlandish top try scorer tip Malcolm Marx who I think can score the first try in South Africa's quest for a record fourth World Cup. The hooker is a role which has changed dramatically in rugby in recent times and with sides favouring simply bulldozing their way over the line when possessing a pack of behemoths like the Springboks do, it is often the hookers who are the chief beneficiaries. 

Marx has made a name for himself as a tough but skilful hooker in recent times and he certainly knows his way over the white line. As I have stated I expect the Springboks to fly out of the traps here to try and blow Scotland away early, and while for the sake of our main bet I hope this plan doesn't work, I am aware how likely it is that they will get possession early, batter their way toward the Scottish danger zone and barge over. If this is how the opening sequences do play out, expect Marx to be sniffing around hunting a five pointer. At odds of 12/1 with Unibet, a stand out, he will be carrying my cash.