Springboks in the Rugby Championship
No team is bet on harder in South Africa than the Springboks in the Championship — the world champions chasing a southern-hemisphere title against their oldest rivals. Here are the ways to back the Boks, and what to weigh up.
Ways to back the Boks
The big one is the outright — South Africa to top the table, usually as joint-favourites with New Zealand. The standout SA sub-trophy bet is the Freedom Cup (Boks v All Blacks), with the Mandela Challenge Plate (Boks v Wallabies) alongside it. Test by Test you can back South Africa on the result, the handicap, the winning margin and first try scorer — and live with in-play betting through each match.
What to weigh up
The Springboks are perennial contenders, but the Championship is a grind of evenly matched Tests, and the two meetings with New Zealand usually swing both the title and the Freedom Cup. Home and away matters: the Boks at altitude or at home are a stronger bet than the Boks touring. Backing them outright early, before the first round, can lock in a bigger price. Pair it with the The Rugby Championship predictions page and the Rugby Championship guide for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best ways to bet on the Springboks in the Championship?
Outright to win the title, the Freedom Cup or Mandela Challenge Plate, or Test-by-Test markets like result, handicap, winning margin and first try scorer — plus live in-play betting.
What is the Freedom Cup?
The trophy decided by the South Africa v New Zealand Tests within the Championship. For Bok bettors it is the marquee sub-trophy market, and those fixtures usually decide the title too.