South Africa v British & Irish Lions 3rd Rugby Test betting preview, tips 2021

South Africa and British & Irish Lions clash in the deciding Test at Cape Town Stadium tonight, after the Springboks levelled the series with a painstaking 27-9 win last Saturday night.

It was a great fightback by the home team after the Lions had taken the first of the three Tests 22-17 at the same venue a week earlier.

But the game was not a great spectacle for fans of exciting rugby with far too many stoppages and over officiating, as well as both teams kicking away possession and playing a territory game.

Also read: Best bookies for SA rugby betting

As a neutral fan we can only hope the decider is played with a little more flair but it seems unlikely the Springboks will deviate from a defence-based style that has served them so well in the biggest matches.

The home team has been dealt a couple of injury blows from the second match, with champion blindside Pieter-Steph du Toit (shoulder) and halfback Faf de Klerk (muscle strain) ruled out.

Meanwhile, the Lions have made six changes from the second Test.

Liam Williams and Josh Adams join the back three in place of Stuart Hogg and Anthony Watson respectively. Hard-running centre Bundee Aki is in to see if he can pierce the South African line.

Scrum-half Ali Price gains a start in place of Conor Murray.

Wyn Jones and Ken Owens join the starting side, with Mako Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie back to the bench.

Continue reading for our free Springboks v Lions betting tips and winner prediction for the Third Test on Saturday, August 7. 

Start:	6pm local time (5pm London time), August 7
Venue:	Cape Town Stadium, Capr Town
Head-to-head odds:	South Africa ($1.67) v Lions ($2.25)
Line betting:	South Africa -3.5 ($1.90) v Lions +3.5 ($1.90)

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South Africa v Lions 2021 Test rugby series schedule/results

Test matches
Saturday, July 24: British & Irish Lions 22 d South Africa 17.
Saturday, July 31: South Africa 27 d British & Irish Lions 9.
Saturday, August 7: Springboks v Lions, Cape Town 6pm (5pm British and Irish time)

Springboks v Lions Third Test teams

South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach; Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi (c), Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese. Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Damian Willemse.

British & Irish Lions: Liam Williams, Josh Adams, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Dan Biggar, Ali Price; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Jack Conan. Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Finn Russell, 23 Elliot Daly.

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Betting tips for Springboks v Lions 3rd Test

Our rugby betting expert has assessed the markets and found some value tips:

Springboks v Lions rugby prediction 7/8/2021

This is again going to be a brutal contest at the breakdown but after so much negative feedback about the second Test, surely there will be more effort made to provide more entertainment. That’s our wish anyway. We think the losses of Pieter-Steph du Toit and especially halfback Faf de Klerk will disrupt the Springboks’ flow, especially early. In fact, we considered backing the Lions to lead at half-time, with the Boks winning overall at good odds. Still, this one should be close so we are happy to be on the outsiders in betting. Our final South Africa v British & Irish Lions prediction: Lions by four points.

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