22-10-2007 British bookmakers celebrate, South African boomakers pay

British bookmakers celebrated after South Africa's victory in the final of the Rugby World Cup saved them from a £25 million payout. The England rugby team, which started the tournament at 33/1 to peak at 80-1 after losing 36-0 in a pool game against the other finalist, was backed heavily all the way down to 2/1 ahead of the final.

South African bookies were not so fortunate. Last week, The Times (South Africa) said SA’s 200 bookmakers standed to lose 500 millions rands if South Africa beat England in the Rugby World Cup final.