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Cape Town - Rugby gurus Nick Mallett and John Mitchell have expressed contrasting views on Saturday's All Blacks v Springboks Rugby Championship clash.
The pair are regarded as two of the shrewdest rugby brains around, but differ significantly when it comes to the outcome of the showdown in Christchurch.
Former Springbok coach Mallett spoke passionately in the aftermath of South Africa's 23-17 defeat to the Wallabies in Brisbane last weekend that the Test was a battle between two "B division teams".
Mallett went on to add that what the Boks can expect to face this weekend was like "night and day" compared to a "poor" Wallaby side that had lost six straight Tests.
When one considers the Wallabies managed to drag themselves up off the canvas and beat the Boks - having previously been thrashed 42-8 (at home) and 29-9 (in New Zealand) in their opening Rugby Championship clashes - without offering an actual prediction, one can only assume Mallett fears for the worst on Saturday.
By contrast, New Zealand-born Mitchell, speaking on SuperSport's TMO rugby show on Thursday, spoke of how dangerous a "wounded" Springbok side can be.
After offering advice on how to beat the All Blacks, Mitchell predicted a victory for New Zealand by "5 to 7 points".
Leading SA bookmakers Sportingbet are firmly on "camp Mallett" with the All Blacks heavy 23-point favourites.
Sport24's readers also fear the worst, with a staggering 91% of the 8 000 votes cast predicting a Bok defeat by "8 points or more".
However, if you're in "camp Mitchell" and the heart pumps Green and Gold blood, then head on down to your local bookie and back the Boks. A bet of any amount will see you leave a richer fan...
Are you in "camp Mallett" or "camp Mitchell" for Saturday's Test? Let us know at mysport@sport24.co.za
