England v South Africa – November 2nd, 2019 at 9:00 am
The Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday, November 2nd features England v South Africa. This one is for all the beans. A superb semi final victory over New Zealand set England up with their place. South Africa progressed through a tight scrap against Wales in their semi final match.
The Final is expected to see South Africa use the power of their forwards and kicking game to try and stifle England. Eddie Jones’s England have really stepped up to the plate to handle every test that has been in front of them. Can they topple the Springboks to be crowned World Champions for the second time?
Here are our top five bets for England v South Africa Rugby World Cup Final
Table of Contents
Jonny May Anytime Tryscorer at 2/1 with Bet365
He has had a couple of knocks in the tournament, but Jonny May at 2/1 is the anytime try scorer favourite for the match* (betting odds taken from bet365 on October 31st, 2019 at 1:55 pm). May is fantastic in the air and he is up against Cheslin Kolbe who has just come back from missing South Africa’s semi-final because of injury. So getting balls up in the air to let May attack Cheslin could a key weapon for England to use in the World Cup final. May has three tires in the tournament.
Rugby World Cup Final betting at Betway
England 1-10 Points Winning Margin at 13/8 with Betway
This is probably going to be tight. England are going to have a lot on their hands against South Africa in the forwards. The Springboks are probably going to bring a territorial kicking game to proceedings. Then you throw on top the stress of the occasion and the game may take a while to open up.
When England and South Africa met in the 2007 Final all of the points in the game were kicked, with the Springboks coming out on top. With England favourites and set for a bruising encounter in Yokohama, a ten-point margin is reasonable enough to back the Red Rose with. That’s a 13/8 option at Betway* (betting odds taken from Betway on October 31st, 2019 at 1:55 pm)
Rugby World Cup Final betting at Betway
South Africa Penalty First Scoring Play at 7/4 with Ladbrokes
Working on the assumption that South Africa are going to keep things tight, keep the ball in the forward and kick for territory, a South Africa penalty as the opening score has some appeal. They have a huge scrum, with a fantastic front line and they will be looking to put as big of a early squeeze on England up front as possible.
That could lead to a penalty for the Springboks early on and that is 7/4 to be the first scoring play* (betting odds taken from Ladbrokes on October 31st, 2019 at 1:55 pm). They won’t be unhappy at taking their shots at goal to keep the scoreboard ticking over and a first strike would settle them quickly.
Rugby World Cup Final betting at Ladbrokes
Total Tries Over 3.5 at 5/6 with Betfair
England are better in the backs than South Africa are. They do also have three backs on the bench, whereas South Africa are going with two. England should also be able to match up to the physicality of South Africa fairly well. Are the tries going to flow in the match?
We are going to predict yes. You look at the chances which England took against Australia in the quarter-finals and the two that they had scrapped in the semi-final against New Zealand. England looked dynamic with an ability to attack from all quarters.
It’s not unreasonable to assume that they can get a couple at least in the match. Over 3.5 tries is at 5/6 with Betfair* (betting odds taken from Betfair on October 31st, 2019 at 1:55 pm). England are actually good enough in the backs to cut loose once they have established a lead. If they fall behind, you would still back England’s inventiveness to create tries out of nothing.
Rugby World Cup Final betting at Betfair
Man Of the Match Tom Curry at 14/1 with Coral
You would immediately lean towards someone like Own Farrell, George Ford or Faf de Klerk, but Tom Curry is going to be pivotal for England on the weekend. The blindside flanker is going to have his work cut out in chopping down South Africa’s brilliant number eight Duane Vermuelen and holding England’s edge defensively at the breakdown.
South Africa may be trying a lot down the blindside to get away from England’s backs as much as possible and that brings Curry into the starring role. He is big enough and strong enough to handle it and he has already highly impressed in the tournament so far. Curry is a 14/1 proposition to be Man of the Match* (betting odds taken from Coral on October 31st, 2019 at 1:55 pm) He is going to be there in a war of attrition clearing out the rucks.
Rugby World Cup Final betting at Coral
Outright Winner Odds
England will go as the favourites on Saturday to win the World Cup 2019. They are 8/15 at Betfair to deliver the match win, with South Africa at 15/8* (betting odds taken from Betfair on October 31st, 2019 at 1:55 pm). It has been sixteen years since England won the World Cup for the first time.
It has been a highly impressive campaign having moved past Australia and New Zealand with some aplomb. It is all going to come together for Eddie Jones’ men on the weekend in what will be England’s fourth Rugby World Cup final?
