As Wales, Scotland and England conclude their Autumn Nations Series campaigns this weekend, all three teams find themselves in different stages of their development.
Saturday will see Wales look to avoid a 12th consecutive international defeat when they host reigning world champions South Africa at the Principality Stadium.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend will revert back to his strongest lineup when Australia head to Murrayfield on Sunday and the weekend’s action from the Autumn Nations Series will conclude at Allianz Stadium when England will hope to end their five-match losing streak against Japan.
- SOUTH AFRICA -24.5
- HANDICAPSCOTLAND TO WIN
- ENGLAND -34.5 HANDICAP
Could This Be The End For Gatland?
Wales’ miserable losing streak now stands at 11 games after their 52-20 defeat against Australia.
It seems almost cruel that under-pressure head coach Warren Gatland must next put his side on the field to take on the most physical team in world rugby this weekend.
South Africa have already got the better of both Scotland and England, with head coach Rassie Erasmus capable of putting out almost two different sides to better most teams in the northern hemisphere.
Losing by 32 points against a Wallabies side that finished rock bottom of the 2024 Rugby Championship, the winners of that southern hemisphere tournament, South Africa, should fall on the right side of the -24.5 handicap in Cardiff on Saturday and potentially end Gatland’s second tenure in charge of the Welsh national side.
SOUTH AFRICA -24.5 HANDICAP
Scots Look To Finish On A High
Scotland have had a November of ups and downs but have the opportunity to head into the 2025 Six Nations on a high as they face Australia at Murrayfield on Sunday.
Beating Fiji in their opening game, Scotland squandered opportunities in the second half of their defeat to South Africa before a regulation 59-21 win over Portugal last weekend.
Expect plenty of changes to the side for the clash with the Wallabies, with the likes of Finn Russell, Sione Tuipolotu, Duhan Van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn set to return to the backline.
Scotland missed a late penalty to lose 16-15 at Murrayfield the last time these sides met in 2022 and the Scots look capable of getting their revenge this weekend.
SCOTLAND TO WIN
England Need Result To Back Up Performance
It’s been a month of ‘what ifs’ for Steve Borthwick’s England as they prepare to face Japan in their final game of the Autumn Series on Sunday.
England had opportunities to earn wins over New Zealand, Australia and South Africa over the last three weeks but crucial moments late in the game have cost the Red Rose dearly.
Sunday won’t take away the disappointment of those results against the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks but does offer a chance to cut loose against a Japan side that have been leaking points under the familiar face of former England boss Eddie Jones.
Losing 64-19 to New Zealand and 52-12 to France in the last month, Japan’s defensive shortcomings have been there for all to see and England should overcome the -34.5 handicap on offer against the Brave Blossoms in London.
ENGLAND -34.5 HANDICAP
