It seems the the Bookies, around the world have made the Springboks slight favourites to win the Tri-Nations over the All Blacks and the Wallabies trailing way behind in the backgroud.

Leading SA bookies have the Boks on offer at 5/4 while New Zealand can be backed at 4/3.

Australia are favourites for the wooden spoon at 4/1.

The Boks open the defence of their title against the All Blacks in Auckland on 10 July whereafter they again go toe to toe on 17 July in Wellington. The Springboks play the Wallabies once in Brisbane, Australia on 24 July before returning to South Africa.

South Africa’s home fixtures are against New Zealand in Johannesburg on 21 August and against the Wallabies in Pretoria on 28 August and in Bloemfontein on 4 September.