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England vs South Africa Predictions - Springboks backed to reach World Cup final
Listen
- Watch England vs South Africa in the Rugby World Cup on Saturday (21:00 SAST)
- Springboks on the hunt for back-to-back World Cup titles
- Can England revenge their 2019 WC final defeat?
Expired
Playing Smith at fullback against South Africa could prove costly (Getty Images)
England vs South Africa Preview
While many think this should be a formality for the Springboks, playing a weaker, plucky side is often what has caused South Africa problems recently. Especially against Argentina in the Rugby Championship earlier this year.
- England vs South Africa Preview
- Head to Head
- England Form
- England Injuries & Team News
- South Africa Form
- South Africa Injuries & Team News
England will have to start well and build a lead to hold onto because over 80 minutes it is unlikely that they will be able to stay with South Africa. The Springboks are also not known to start games very well.
I am backing the Boks to win but I think it will be by less than the 13-point handicap.
- England have won their last 5 matches.
- South Africa have won 4 of their last 5 World Cup matches.
- South Africa have won 8 of their last 9 matches.
- South Africa have won 4 of their last 7 matches against England.
- South Africa beat England 27-13 in their last match.
Head to Head
South Africa hold a narrow 4-3 lead over England in their last seven matches. They last played in November 2022, a match the Springboks won 27-13 at Twickenham.
In terms of the World Cup, South Africa and England have met on four occasions with South Africa winning three and England once. In South Africa’s three wins are the 2007 and 2019 Rugby World Cup finals.
England Form
It is quite strange to think that of all the semi-finalists, England are the only unbeaten side at the World Cup. They topped Pool D ahead of Argentina, winning all four games.
It would be soft to say that England have been poor in 2023 with a fourth-placed finish in the Six Nations and a defeat to Fiji just ahead of the World Cup. But Steve Borthwick has pulled his side together in a short space of time and they now look like a team that can compete.
England dominated their opening game of the World Cup, beating Argentina 27-10. They then saw off Japan and Chile before struggling to an 18-17 success against Samoa.
In a pulsating quarter-final, England just had enough to beat Fiji 30-24 this past weekend. While they were slightly fortunate, it is hard to argue that over 80 minutes England wasn’t the better side.
England are miles away from the finished article, but they have a template to win knockout rugby games. With Own Farrell seemingly first-choice flyhalf, backed up by George Ford, England has two very good goalkickers as well and a strong kicking game in open play.
They will need to get their set piece on par with South Africa though if they are to challenge for a place in the final.
England Injuries & Team News
I fully expect Borthwick to make some changes. It will be a massive risk starting with Marcus Smith at fullback again given South Africa’s very good kicking game. They may also opt for a 6-2 bench split.
South Africa Form
South Africa are the defending champions and are heavy favourites to feature in the 2023 final. They have been superb during the World Cup to date.
Drawn in the pool of death, the Springboks got off to a good start by beating Scotland 18-3 in their opener. A 76-0 success over Romania followed.
While South Africa lost 13-8 to Ireland in their next game, pretty much securing a second-placed finish, that game was very evenly matched and could have gone either way. Another easy win over Tonga ensured that second place.
But that defeat to Ireland meant Jacques Nienaber’s side had to face World Cup favourites and hosts, France in the quarter-final. It turned out to be a game for the ages which the Boks won 29-28.
After witnessing the Ireland vs New Zealand game on Saturday, no one thought this game would top it, but it most certainly did. It was riddled with tension and both sides threw everything at each other, and in the end, South Africa’s resolve held firm.
The quality this weekend will almost certainly be lower but that is where South Africa have struggled in the past. The Springboks will need a strong start to temper any English ambition before pulling away in the second half.
South Africa Injuries & Team News
One of the more intriguing parts of this World Cup has been guessing what side South Africa will put out. Nienaber and Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus has kept everyone guessing as to the makeup of their side as they aren’t afraid to make bold calls.
Verdict
England are backed to cover the +13 handicap against South Africa. We will offer more tips closer to the time once teams are selected.
England +13
Handicap
@-109.89 - 4 Units
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