2023 Rugby World Cup Build Up

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New Zealand vs South Africa Predictions - Springboks can upset the odds at Twickenham

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 23 Aug 2023

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Ralph Staniforth 23 Aug 2023

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Watch New Zealand vs South Africa in a Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture on Friday (20:30 SAST)
All Blacks have won their last 7 games on the spin
Can the Springboks upset the odds at Twickenham?

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Springboks can cause an upset at Twickenham (Getty Images)

New Zealand vs South Africa Preview

It is hard to argue that this is just a Rugby World Cup warm-up match as possibly the biggest rugby union rivalry takes place. Both sides will be very keen on getting a positive result as their next fixtures are World Cup openers against France and Scotland respectively.

New Zealand vs South Africa Preview
Head to Head
New Zealand Form
New Zealand Injuries & News
South Africa Form
South Africa Injuries & News

It’s tough to call as always between these sides but I’m going to back South Africa to get within five points of the All Blacks.

New Zealand have won 4 of their last 6 matches against South Africa.
New Zealand beat South Africa by 15 points earlier this year.
New Zealand have won their last 7 matches.
South Africa have won 4 of their last 5 matches.
South Africa beat Wales by 36 points last weekend.

Head to Head

New Zealand have won four of their last six matches against South Africa. They met in mid-July this year, a match the All Blacks won 35-20 in Auckland.

New Zealand Form

New Zealand have been superb this year after a rocky 18-month spell. They cruised to the Rugby Championship title earlier this year, winning all three games with ease.

The All Blacks thrashed Argentina away before beating the Springboks 35-20 in Auckland. A convincing 38-7 win over Australia saw them retain the Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe Cup.

The following week they faced the Aussies again in the second Bledisloe Cup match. New Zealand didn’t play their strongest side and yet still came away with a 23-20 success.

This will be the final warm-up game before New Zealand take on France in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand Injuries & News

Ian Foster is likely to select a close to full-strength side but like his opponents, may want to experiment a bit. Or give game time to some players who have lacked some in recent weeks.

South Africa Form

South Africa have been inconsistent since their 2019 World Cup win. This year they convincingly beat Australia in the Rugby Championship before losing away to New Zealand.

A narrow home win over Argentina saw them take second place behind the All Blacks. The following week the Springboks traveled to Argentina where they won 24-13 after being down at the break.

The Springboks beat Wales 52-16 at the Principality Stadium last week in their second to last warm-up game. This week the Boks will hope to get some more confidence at Twickenham with a win over their old foe.

South Africa Injuries & News

Jacques Nienaber announced his team on Monday already. He has arguably gone with the strongest available forward pack while the backline is full of experimentation.

Canan Moodie makes a start at outside centre with Andre Esterhuizen at inside centre. Damian Willemse gets a start at fullback with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Makhazole Mapimpi on the wing.

Verdict

New Zealand v South Africa

I ma backing the Springboks to get within five points and perhaps win at Twickenham.

South Africa +5

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