The biggest Rugby competition in the southern hemisphere kicks off this weekend and with New Zealand on the ropes, is this going to be the year South Africa can end their reign? Here we take a look, and also bring you some free betting picks on the 2022 Rugby Championship.
South Africa last won the Rugby Championship in 2019, but that was a truncated competition due to the upcoming 2019 Rugby World Cup. Such has been the dominance of the All Blacks since it became a four-nation competition in 2012, the Springboks’ win in 2019 is the only time they have won the tournament in this period. The Australians won it once in 2015, and every other year, New Zealand has been the champion.
History. Made ✅ @IrishRugby beat the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time ever! pic.twitter.com/roLHdGmEdU
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 9, 2022
But New Zealand is at the lowest point in rugby they’ve been at in years. They have just suffered their first ever home series defeat to Ireland (they lost 2-1), and head coach Ian Foster is under immeasurable pressure. So could this be the time for the Springboks to strike?
Who is the Favorite to Win the 2022 Rugby Championship?
Despite their floundering fortunes, the All Blacks are still favorites to win the 2022 Rugby Championship. The best online Rugby betting sites make New Zealand -110, with South Africa not far behind on +150.
In the latest Rugby betting odds, the Aussies are next at +350, with Argentina bringing up the rear at +3500.
| 2022 Rugby Championship Winner Betting |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | -110 | TBC |
| South Africa | +150 | TBC |
| Australia | +350 | TBC |
| Argentina | +3500 | TBC |
There's still plenty of online betting sites yet to release their odds for the Rugby Championship, so keep your eye out for the latest odds.
When Does The 2022 Rugby Championship Start?
The 2022 Rugby Championship starts this weekend, with South Africa v New Zealand the opening fixture.
Unfortunately for viewers in the ET zone, matches played in New Zealand, and Australia will be late night stingers. But the matches played in South Africa and Argentina will be decent hours for us to watch. Full fixtures are:-
Week 1 - August 6th, 2022
- South Africa v New Zealand
- Argentina v Australia
Week 2 - August 13th, 2022
- South Africa v New Zealand
- Argentina v Australia
Week 3 - August 27th, 2022
- Australia v South Africa
- New Zealand v Argentina
Week 4 - September 3rd, 2022
- New Zealand v Argentina
- Australia v South Africa
Week 5 - September 15th and 17th, 2022
- Australia v New Zealand
- Argentina v South Africa
Week 6 - September 24th, 2022
- New Zealand v Australia
- South Africa v Argentina
Yes, you did read that correctly. There are back-to-back identical fixtures. This is to reduce travel and for player welfare.
There is a lot of traveling done by the teams throughout this competition. So having teams stick around in the same country to play twice a week, not only reduces players' time away from home but also gives home fans more chance to get involved.
Hello, South Africa 👋 it’s been a while! pic.twitter.com/ANTD9wGrR3
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 30, 2022
There is also a theory that this method gives the away team a touring feel, rather than just being in town for a couple of days and then gone again.
But does this format help? Well, in the case of South Africa it certainly does. They have two home games against a battered and bruised New Zealand to get their competition underway. Win both of those, and the championship is as good as theirs.
Now let’s look at the teams.
New Zealand -110
Will New Zealand roar, or are they a spent force? They’re not as strong as the All Blacks of the past, but they are still strong enough to win this competition.
It’s mightily difficult and risky to write the All Blacks off. They’ve had a kick up the backside, and we will see over the next two months what they are made of.
Two away matches to South Africa to get things going is difficult. But I can see it inspiring the All Blacks to shut their many critics up and make them my pick for the 2022 Rugby Championship.
South Africa +150
The Springboks beat Wales 2-1 in a tightly contested three-match series last month. It was a mighty tussle, but when it mattered, the world champions came through.
In the final match of the series, South Africa won 30-14, the most comprehensive result of the three matches. If they can carry that form on against New Zealand, they will have a chance. It’s a big if though.
Australia +350
The Aussies produced a scintillating 20 minutes of rugby with just 14 men to win the 1st Test against England last month. But it proved to be another false dawn, as they went down 2-1 in the series.
Australia does raise their game against the All Blacks, but one-off wins won’t be enough to win the championship. If they can't beat a struggling England, then what chance here? I can only see the Aussies finishing third this year.
Argentina +3500
In a way, most sports fans feel sorry for the Pumas. Every year they are getting smashed in the rugby championship, but in a way it is beneficial. There is little pressure on the team; everybody knows they will finish bottom, so nothing is expected.
When they play against touring sides and in world cups is where Argentina are judged, and they have just beaten Scotland 2-1 in a tightly contested series last month - showing they are improving as a side.
Two home fixtures against Australia at the beginning of the competition represent their best chance to win a match, and that is as good as it will get.
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