RWC 2023 finals - What is your score prediction for this?
Category News
After what could be considered one of the most harrowing games of the Rugby World Cup against England, the Springboks emerged victors in a close and nail-biting encounter against England, with the final score on a razor's edge of 15 - 16.
Image Source: Skysports.com
Nobody could've anticipated how resilient and steadfast our team would've become in the last 15 minutes (thanks to RG Snyman's try and Handré Pollard's magnificent late-game penalty) as fans worldwide were on the verge of throwing in the towel and conceding the match to England for the first time in 20 years. Yet, as the final whistle blew, the Springboks again denied the Lions on the field and now march towards the final clash against our most fearsome rivals.
Springboks vs All Blacks
No rugby rivalry is more significant than the one between South Africa and New Zealand. Both teams are evenly matched in terms of awards won and all-round skill, and both teams share a fierce passion for the sport.
Image Source: Theguardian.com
South Africa and New Zealand share the title of having the most World Cup victories. At three each, this single game will not only crown 2023's World Cup victor but also ensure that only one of these teams will have the honour of making it four World Cup triumphs and defining themselves as the world's greatest.
While New Zealand has had clean sailing towards the finals, having faced up against a bevvy of underdogs, the Springboks, on the other hand, have had a more than challenging run, facing severe pushback from both France and England with just a single point defining them as victors in each of those games.
Nevertheless, the stakes for any rugby game in history have never been this high, and Saturday's final skirmish at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, will see both teams vying for a fourth win.
Sizing up the teams
While games often have underdogs, the numbers for this particular final make it exceptionally difficult for statisticians to select a clear favourite. In the betting scene, bookmakers are facing a challenge in choosing a victor for this renewed rivalry, as the All Blacks hold a slight edge as favourites at odds of 4/5, while the Springboks are offered at even odds to defend their title.
Precedent marks the Springboks as clear favourites as they have not lost a final in which they have played since 95. A host game in which our fledgling democracy celebrated its first victory against none other than the All Blacks themselves. This year, and almost three decades later, the long-awaited rematch is finally here.
Image Source: Sporf.com
Regardless, rugby is anything but predictable, and while most fans are anticipating a close encounter, who's to say whether or not either team will simply run away with the score? If our previous two games are anything to go by, we will likely experience a game for the history books.
Don't miss the runner-up match
In other news, the battle for the bronze will see Argentina and England face off in a redemption contest and will take place on Friday the 27th at 7pm, so be sure to catch the highlights before the final showdown!
Read our previous article on RWC facts you likely never knew -
20 Facts you might not know about the Springboks and our Rugby World Cup history
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Author: Bryce Anderson