New Zealand v South Africa Rugby World Cup Predictions & Betting Odds – 21st September 2019

Can the All Blacks silence their doubters?

Rugby World Cup Preview – 10:45 am kick-off

Without question, this is the most anticipated pool stage match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The two southern hemisphere giants meet up to try and earn some early dominance. New Zealand are tournament outright favourites, the Springboks joint-second favourites. This will be some duel.

New Zealand v South Africa odds*

1 X 2
4/9 25/1 2/1

* (betting odds taken from bet365 on September 20th, 2019 at 11:00 am)

Rugby World Cup Betting at Bet365

New Zealand v South Africa Preview

There are question marks over New Zealand’s title credentials. The All Blacks haven’t been at their very best for about the last year now. They were a bit sluggish back in the recent Rugby Championships where they only managed a W1 D1 L1 record. The draw was against South Africa. The loss against Australia.

They are just struggling in a couple of key positions. They have moved their star back Beauden Barrett to full back to start with, having played there just five times before for his country.

Barrett has won the World Player of the Year title twice before. So they are shuffling things, looking for a better blend. The inexperienced Richie Mo’unga takes the fly-half role. Mo’unga though has everything about him to be one of the stars of the tournament. Part of the reason the Kiwis have reshuffled is to get the kicking threat of Mo’unga in the line-up, despite him only having five caps.

New Zealand 1-7 Winning Margin
5/2

22bet

Can the Sprinboks come out swinging?

The All Blacks conceded a late try against South Africa in Wellington in July, ending up drawing the game 16-16. That was seen as a huge success for the Boks. The weather is going to be a big factor in this one because it is supposed to be very wet. Very wet and humid. It may suit South Africa. They are very well equipped to go into a war of attrition and will grind.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has been ramping up the mind-games ahead of this one. He’s throwing his strongest side out there, a very settled side with scrum-half Faf De Klerk pivotal to their chances. He has been a key part of their resurgence, but can’t afford to let himself get shut down because the All Blacks will know exactly what he will be trying to do. If the All Blacks get to De Klerk, a big part of South Africa’s threat will be shut down.

New Zealand v South Africa Prediction

What a game. Both have a lot to prove given their respective statuses at the head of the World Cup 2019 outright winner market. If the weather hampers New Zealand’s ability to throw the ball around, they are going to get a real battle up front. But still, they are the world champions, maybe not at their best, but the ones to beat still. New Zealand -6 handicap at 10/11 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on September 20th, 2019 at 11:00 am)