Predictions: Hutch's Rugby Championship Round 2 Picks

Like most people, the Wallabies’ win at Ellis Park caught me by surprise, and I was also too conservative on the All Blacks’ margin of victory in Argentina.

It’s the same pair of fixtures this week. Here are my Rugby Championship predictions for Round 2.

South Africa v Australia

Having raced to an early lead last week, complacency must have set in to allow Australia to come back, and when the pressure was on, the Boks couldn’t cope. The bomb squad impact was also more of a quiet fart than an explosion, but I think it will all be different this week.

Handre Pollard should offer a steadier hand at fly-half, any complacency will have evaporated in the scathing press reports this week, and the bench looks strong again. I actually think South Africa will right the wrongs and blow Australia away.

Prediction: South Africa by 21

Argentina v New Zealand

Despite their defeat, the Pumas will be buoyed by scoring 24 points against the All Blacks last week, and they were in the game well into the final quarter. Going into this weekend, the two lineups are fairly similar - albeit I’m excited to see Wallace Sititi on the bench for the visitors - both teams should be a little bit better having spent another week together, and I can’t see why we shouldn’t expect a repeat of last week’s result.

Prediction: New Zealand by 13

How do your picks compare?