Ian JohnAfter two exciting and very different semi finals, we now know the two teams that will battle it out to be named Rugby World Cup Winners 2023.
The final, along with the third-place match, takes place this weekend with both games at the Stade de France in Paris.
The third-place playoff takes place at 8pm on Friday, with the final 24-hours later on the Saturday evening.
So before we take a closer look at the two finalists, let’s first recap how the two semi-finals panned out and a quick look at Friday’s third-place playoff.
Ny odds quoted in this post are taken from bet365 Sport and were correct at the time of writing, but may have changed since the post was published.
Rugby World Cup Semi Final Review
- Argentina 6
Pens – Boffelli (5,31)
- New Zealand 44
Tries – Jordan (11,62,73), Barrett (16), Frizzell (42,49), Smith (42)
Conv – Mo’Unga (12,43,50)
Pens – Mo’Unga (31)
The All Blacks produced another outstanding display to blow away Argentina and deny the Pumas any chance of what would have been a huge World Cup upset.
Bofelli had kicked Argentina into an early lead, but as soon as Jordan and Barrett scored tries in the 11th and 16th minute, with Mo’Unga converting the first, New Zealand were in control. Mo’Unga and Boffelli added penalties in quick succession before a Frizzell try in first half added time saw New Zealand hold a 20-6 lead.
From then on it was all about the All Blacks. Smith added a try shortly after a restart, which Mo’Unga converted, then Frizzell added his second try of the game just seven minutes later, which was again converted as Argentina struggled to contain the All Blacks attack.
Two further tries for Jordan completed a big win for the All Blacks and sent them through to yet another Rugby World Cup Final.
For Argentina, the bronze match awaits, but who they would play would be decided in Saturday’s other World Cup Semi Final.
- England 15
Pens – Farrell (3,10,24,39)
Drop – Farrell (53)
- South Africa 16
Tries – Snyman (69)
Conv – Pollard (70)
Pens – Libbok (21), Pollard (35,78)
In Marseille, South Africa staged a late comeback to deny England an unexpected victory as they snatched a win by the narrowest of margins once again.
England began the game well and took an early 6-0 lead thanks to two Owen Farrell penalties on 3 and 10 minutes. Libbok kicked a penalty for South Africa on 21 before Farrell added another on 24 minutes to put England 9-3 up before Pollard kicked another South African penalty to make it 9-6.
On the half, Owen Farrell kicked his fourth penalty of the day to make it 12-6 at the interval and talk of a possible upset was growing.
In the second half, a drop goal from Farrell made it 15-6 to England and South Africa looked a little on the ropes. The next score in the game would likely be critical.
Crucially, South Africa got it through Snyman, the only try of the game, and with the conversion South Africa were now behind by just two.
The Springboks then snatched the win despite being behind for almost all the game when Pollard kicked a 78th minute penalty to put South Africa 16-15 in front.
It was a heart-breaking loss for England as South Africa celebrated yet another narrow win to move on into the World Cup Final. England would now face Argentina in the bronze match playoff.
Rugby World Cup – Bronze Match Playoff Preview And Tips
Argentina v England
- Date – Friday 27th October
- Venue – Stade de France
- Kick Off – 8pm
- Referee – Nic Berry
Argentina Team
- Thomas Gallo
- Julian Montoya (Capt)
- Francisco Kodela
- Guido Pagadizabal
- Pedro Rubiolo
- Juan Martin Gonzalez
- Marcos Kremer
- Facundo Isa
- Tomas Cubelli
- Santiago Carreras
- Mateo Carreras
- Jeronimo De La Fuente
- Lucio Cinti
- Emiliano Boffelli
- Juan Cruz Mallia
Argentina Substitutes
- Agustin Creevy
- Joel Sclavi
- Eduardo Bello
- Matias Alemanno
- Rodrigo Bruni
- Lautaro Bazan Velez
- Nicolas Sanchez
- Matias Moroni
England Team
- Ellis Genge
- Theo Dan
- Will Stuart
- Mario Itoje
- Ollie Chessum
- Tom Curry
- Sam Underhill
- Ben Earl
- Ben Youngs
- Owen Farrell (Capt)
- Henry Arundell
- Manu Tuilagi
- Joe Marchant
- Freddie Steward
- Marcus Smith
England Substitutes
- Jamie George
- Bevan Rodd
- Dan Cole
- David Ribbans
- Lewis Ludlam
- Danny Care
- George Ford
- Ollie Lawrence
Our Top Tips for the Game
- Henry Arundell to score 2 or more tries – 13/2
- England to win (-7) – 10/11
Rugby World Cup Final – Preview And Tips
New Zealand v South Africa
- Date – Saturday 28th October
- Venue – Stade de France
- Kick Off – 8pm
- Referee – Wayne Barnes
New Zealand Team (predicted)
- Beauden Barrett
- Will Jordan
- Rieko Ioane
- Jordie Barrett
- Mark Telea
- Richie Mo’unga
- Aaron Smith
- Ardie Savea
- Sam Cane (Capt)
- Shannon Frizell
- Scott Barrett
- Brodie Retallick
- Tyrel Lomas
- Codie Taylor
- Ethan de Groot
New Zealand Substitutes
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Tamaiti Williams
- Nepo Laulala
- Sam Whitelock
- Dalton Papalii
- Fin Christie
- Damian McKenzie
- Anton Lienert-Brown
South Africa Team
- Damian Willemse
- Kurt-Lee Arendse
- Jesse Kriel
- Damian De Allende
- Cheslin Kolbe
- Handre Pollard
- Faf De Clerk
- Steven Kitshoff
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Frans Malherbe
- Eben Etzebeth
- Franco Mostert
- Siya Kolisi (Capt)
- Pieter-Steph Du Toit
- Duane Vermeulen
South Africa Substitutes
- Dean Fourie
- Ox Nche
- Trevor Nyakane
- Jean Kleyn
- RG Snyman
- Kwagga Smith
- Jasper Wiese
- Willie Le Roux
Our Top Tips for the Game
- Over 4.5 Tries to be scored – 10/11
- New Zealand to win (-2) – Evens
Both games kick off at 8pm UK Time on Friday (3rd place match) and Saturday (World Cup Final), so tune in to enjoy some great rugby and perhaps some In Play betting at bet365 Sport too!
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