Bet.co.za betting challenge - Round 2

Howie Kahn has been asked to take part in a Super Rugby betting challenge, in conjunction with Bet.co.za and he made a pretty good start after Week One. He reports - ahead of Week Two - back for rugby365...

I'm not a betting man... well, not normally anyways, so imagine my surprise when I was asked to take on the likes of bloggers SportBilly (@sportbillysays) and TheBounce (@followthebounce) and Sports Illustrated's Gareth Rosslee (@GarethRosslee) and Schalk Jonker (@SI_Schalk) in a betting challenge?

We will all be given R1,000 a month by the kind folk of Bet.co.za (www.bet.co.za) over the next few weeks, and we are free to use it as we please on Super Rugby bets - all in a bid to see who can come out with the most cash at the end of the tournament.

As luck my have it, I pocketed R793.75 (on R250 worth of bets!) in Week One, followed by SportBilly (R715.83), TheBounce R402, Schalk (R339.50) and Gareth (R302.50).

I really think it was a case of beginner's luck - I even did 'ok' in my SuperBru picks - but I wasn't complaining too much when Weepu missed his drop and the Reds scored in the last few seconds against the 'Tahs.

This does make a game a lot more exciting to watch - even if your favourite team is not winning - but it's early days yet...

My bets for this weekend, Round Two of the 2012 Super Rugby:

March 2

Chiefs v Blues (Hamilton)
A very tough one to call. I'm backing the Chiefs, however to come good - by 6-10 points - cheeky I know... (R50). Other bets: Liam Messam the first try-scorer (R25 - could make me R825).

Rebels v Waratahs (Melbourne)
Only one winner - the 'Tahs by 11-15 points (R25). Other bets: None. There's no massive value here as the 'Tahs are the favourites.

Lions v Hurricanes (Johannesburg)
This should be a high-scoring one... Lions to take it by 1-5 points (R25). Other bets: None.

March 3

Highlanders v Crusaders (Dunedin)
Another very tough one to call. Crusaders by 6-10 points (R25). Other bets: None.

Reds v Force (Brisbane)
This is an all-Aussie derby and anything can happen. Still, I have to put my money on the Reds (R50) but it's not quite a money-making bet - however, I have backed them by 11-15 points. Other bets: None.

Cheetahs v Bulls (Bloemfontein)
Sjoe, where to go? It's so tempting to back the home side but they've not had much luck against the Bulls since 2006. Bulls by 1-5 points. Other bets: Bulls to score first via a try (R25).

Stormers v Sharks (Cape Town)
Probably the toughest one to call this weekend... Stormers... no Sharks... Stormers... Alright - final call, Stormers. Only just (R25) - 6-10 points. Other bets: Stormers to win both halves (R25).

My total bets are to the value of R250 but could make me R1,918.75 - especially if Messam scores first. (I just have a hunch!)

Until next time,
Howie Kahn

* If you feel like wasting some hard-earned cash, you can bet for me against the likes of SportBilly, TheBounce, Gareth Rosslee and Schalk Jonker. At the moment I seem to be the favourite... (A tip: Rosslee is worth a few bucks given his odds at present!)

** Click HERE for Bet.co.za's Super Rugby, Round Two preview.