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A London-based punter has bet £150,000 ($401,000) on South Africa to win the rugby World Cup, defying the bookmakers who have the All Blacks as odds-on favourites.
The bet on the Springboks was placed with Ladbrokes at odds of 5/1, meaning the punter will pick up £750,000 if John Smit's side secure the trophy in France in October, Fox News reported.
New Zealand are rated 4/9 favourites to succeed England as world champions, although the odds on the All Blacks winning have eased slightly as the tournament approaches.
South Africa are second favourites with the odds-on offer from Ladbrokes now down to 4/1 while France are offered as 9/1 third favourites.
Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "We still think the Kiwis have got the tournament in the bag.
"But there isn't a bookmaker in the world who wouldn't have to adjust their market after taking a bet of this size."
- NZPA
