Rugby

Rugby World Cup 2023 predictions and tips today 28/10/2023

October 28, 2023 1:16 am
Rugby World Cup 2023 predictions and tips today 28/10/2023
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Sport doesn’t get any better than this. New Zealand vs South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final, fresh out of Paris on Saturday night. Strap yourselves in, we’re in for a doozy of a match as the two most successful teams in Rugby World Cup history square off for the chance to lift the Webb Ellis Cup an historic fourth time.

With New Zealand and South Africa all set to go on Saturday, here are our top Rugby World Cup tips today:

  • Prediction 1: New Zealand to Beat South Africa @ 4/5 (1.83)
  • Prediction 2: Will Jordan to Score a Try @ 7/5 (2.37)
  • Prediction 3: New Zealand to Win 13+ @ 7/2 (4.50)

Rugby World Cup predictions today

Keen to take one of these wagers, but aren’t sure about trusting some random sports writer online? Fair call. Keep reading though, because all our Rugby World Cup tips today are backed by the latest statistics, analysis and expert opinion. This means they’re the best Rugby World Cup predictions today, and here’s why:

Prediction 1: New Zealand to Beat South Africa @ 4/5 (1.83)

Many punters are saying this match is 50/50, but we say New Zealand are a healthy chance to win. The Kiwis have looked back to their invincible selves after an early loss to France, rolling through the rest of their pool matches, before clinically dispatching world No 1 Ireland in the quarter-finals and thrashing Argentina in the semi-finals. They’re fresh, confident and know what it takes to win a Rugby World Cup final.

South Africa, on the other hand, have had to go to the well on multiple occasions over the past two months, losing to Ireland, while beating Scotland, France and England. The toll this will have taken on them isn’t to be underestimated, nor is the psychological edge that the All Blacks hold over the Springboks. 

The Springboks may have gone for an innovative 7-1 split, but don’t expect New Zealand to get suckered into an upfront arm wrestle here. They’ll spin it wide, play fast rugby, and run ragged an already ragged looking South Africa.

Prediction 2: Will Jordan to Score a Try @ 7/5 (2.37)

It’s being referred to as “breaking eight”, and already sounds like a Netflix documentary. Jonah Lomu scored eight tries in the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Bryan Habana nabbed eight in 2007, and Julian Savea equalled the tally in 2015. With these legendary names of the game unable to surpass the barrier of eight tries in a Rugby World Cup, Will Jordan now sits on eight tries himself, with a shot at breaking eight and moving into an echelon of his own.

The young All Blacks winger has been electric this tournament, proving himself a clinical finisher with a real pair of wheels. And it’s not just this tournament; the 25-year-old has 31 tries from 30 Test matches, and simply can’t keep away from the white line. In a match where we say there will be a few tries scored on the outside and in counter-attack play, expect Jordan to bag at least one this Saturday night.

Prediction 3: New Zealand to Win 13+ @ 7/2 (4.50)

Two times in the last 18 months New Zealand have stepped onto the field against South Africa really needing a win.

First it was in Ellis Park in 2022, where Ian Foster and Sam Cane both would have felt like their necks were on the line after losing a home series to Ireland and their opening Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks. The second was at Mt Smart Stadium in 2023, where New Zealand had ended their season with a draw against England and needed to convince the Kiwi public they were ready for a Rugby World Cup.

On both of these occasions, New Zealand put South Africa to the sword, winning 35-23 in 2022 and 35-20 in 2023, with late tries flattering the score lines for the Springboks. This proves that when the All Blacks are locked in, they have a game plan that can blow South Africa away. Do it right, and it won’t be a tight game, despite how narrow the odds are between these two sides. 

Rather than being drawn into a kicking, set piece arm wrestle, there’s every chance New Zealand will simply outclass South Africa on attack and run in some serious damage against a tired outfit that will feel as though they’ve already played their World Cup final three times this tournament.

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