As we near the business end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, a few clear favourites are emerging for the title. One of these is the current holder, South Africa. The recent pool loss against the current #1 team in the world, Ireland, has sparked debate about the Springboks’ chances, though.
The nature of the 8-13 Irish defeat means nobody should write off The Bokke – they would have learnt from the experience. The biggest lesson would have been that the Irish have earned the tournament favourite moniker as things stand.
Bookmakers seem to agree – Ireland currently holds an advantage, albeit a very small one, with most of them. Most of the apps to bet with in South Africa are offering between 11/4 and 31/10 on Andy Farrell’s outfit, with 3/1 being the most common current price.
The same bookies have the Springboks on offer at odds ranging between 5/2 and 16/5, with the most common price quoted also being 3/1. We told you that Ireland’s favourite tag is a small one!
So what gives Ireland the advantage? And which other teams are a threat to South Africa’s chances of lifting the trophy for a record-breaking fourth time at the Stade de France in Paris? Let’s find out.
The form of the men from the Emerald Isle sets them apart from every other nation at the tournament. Since Andy Farrell took over as head coach in 2019, Ireland has won 34 times and lost on only seven occasions.
Besides topping the world rankings since July last year, the Irish team is also the current Six Nations and Triple Crown holder. Ireland also beat New Zealand away in a three-test series earlier this year. In fact, after the win over South Africa, the unbeaten Irish streak now stands at 16 matches. On this kind of form, it will need a monumental effort from another team to beat them.
Besides South Africa, who were not far off the win last time out, the host nation France seems the most likely to stop the Irish juggernaut. The French also aren’t far off the favourites tag for World Cup glory themselves. They have already comfortably done away with New Zealand earlier in the current tournament.
France is now on offer at odds of between 3/1 and 15/4, depending on the bookie. The All Blacks are still finding money, with prices of between 7/2 and 9/2 on offer. It appears bookmakers have learnt not to write off a wounded New Zealand team at a World Cup tournament!
The New Zealand form is iffy, though, with the recent French loss joining the rugby lesson dealt out by the Springboks in an RWC warm-up.
As things stand, and on the form shown at the tournament so far, the winner will likely come from the four teams mentioned. Besides these, England has shown glimpses of coming back to form. The Welsh demolition of a poor Australian side may also bring them back into the reckoning.
Our verdict: If South Africa can sort out its goalkicking problems (the addition of Handre Pollard might help) then there’s every chance the Bokke could lift the trophy for a second consecutive time.
Ireland is the current favourite and the top-ranked team but may be overdue for a loss. We expect many shamrocks to be adorning the Stade de France stands on 28 October, though.
France, as hosts and the second-ranked country in the world, are also strong contenders. The potential loss of their enigmatic captain, Antoine Dupont, may be their undoing.
And the All Blacks? In poor form or not, it’s Rugby World Cup time. So who knows?
