2019 Rugby World Cup Final – Saturday, November 2nd at 9:00 am
The Rugby World Cup all boils down to Saturday’s match in Yokohama. England will be stepping out into action against South Africa for the big prize. After a stunning semi-final victory over reigning champions New Zealand, can the Red Rose deliver the same intensity and quality in the final itself? They will have to combat South Africa’s physicality to do that.
England v South Africa Odds*
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 22/1 | 2/1 |
*(betting odds taken from bet365 on October 30th, 2019 at 18:12)
Premier League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
England News & Form
This will be the fourth World Cup Final for England. They have won just one, back in that famous 2003 effort against Australia. Will they end their long wait to stand on top of the world once again? England have gotten better and better as the tournament has worn on. They look to be peaking at the perfect time if their knockout stage matches are anything to go by. England’s Jonny May is the First Try scorer favourite at 8/1*(betting odds taken from bet365 on October 30th, 2019 at 18:12)
In the quarter-finals, England showed defensive might to shut down an early onslaught by Australia. After running up 40 points against the Wallabies, England drew a lot of plaudits. But their semi-final performance against New Zealand, a perfect performance, was sublime. Manu Tuilagi touched down in the second minute, England had two disallowed tries and kept the Kiwis scoreless in the first half.
The focus and intensity of England never let up. Against Australia England got stronger as the game wore on and against the All Blacks, England turned their southern hemisphere counterparts into an indecisive, directionless side. Can they do the same against the Springboks? England will have to be ready for the biggest physical battle of their campaign. Will England have the guile and boldness to start throwing the ball around? They keep an unchanged side, meaning George Ford holds on to the fly-half role.
Head to head
The head to head is a little bit uninspiring from England’s perspective. They faced the Springboks in the 2007 World Cup Final as they tried to defend their title. They couldn’t make inroads into South Africa’s defence, England losing the match. All points scored in the fixture came from penalty kicks.
England have won the last two internationals between the two nations. But overall have won only three of the eleven games that they have played in the last decade against the Springboks.
South Africa News & Form
South Africa have a massively impressive pack of forwards. The power and size that they can call on from the bench as well, means that they don’t let up in matches at all. Their forward power has gotten them through their knockout stage matches against Japan and Wales. Against Wales, South Africa were happy to keep the ball in close quarters up front and rely on their kicking game. It worked. Just.
Handre Pollard fired off a match-winning penalty just minutes from the final gong. Pollard is one of their match winners, along with with scrum-half Faf de Klerk who is their engine, their busy spark which keeps them ticking over. They have stand-out players in hooker Bongi Mbomambi and number eight Duane Vermeulen. South Africa are happy to play a slower, grind of a physical game. That’s their strength. They will be coming hard for England up front.
England v South Africa Tip:
England -5 Handicap at even money
*(betting odds taken from bet365 on October 30th, 2019 at 18:12)
Predictions
If England can close down Faf de Klerk then they will take a lot of energy away from South Africa. They may also look to move the ball quickly and often away from the pack, to kick the ball and try and tire out the legs of the Springboks forwards. England have been imperious in the playoffs. This really looks like their game to lose. They shouldn’t lose it and if they get themselves a comfortable lead, it’s hard to see South Africa being dynamic enough to chase them down. England 1-12 winning margin at 6/4*(betting odds taken from bet365 on October 30th, 2019 at 18:12)
