Will it be Siya Kolisi who lifts the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time later Saturday? Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Ahead of the big game in Paris on Saturday night when the Boks and All Blacks clash in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, The Citizen spoke to some former players and coaches to get their predictions for the match.
While they all said it would be a close affair, every one predicted a Bok win. Here’s what they had to say.
“I’m not good with predictions and I don’t like making them, but looking at the game it is a massive opportunity for the Springbok team (to make history).
“Massive congratulations need to go to all of the players, coaches and staff for getting things right and making another final. I am really looking forward to this game.
“I think it will be an arm wrestle (in what could be wet conditions) and there might only be three points difference after the 80 minutes and hopefully we will be on top of it.”
Prediction: Boks by three
“The Boks don’t play the most attractive rugby, but they play winning rugby and that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day. We play a low risk game and especially with the (predicted) rain this weekend we won’t run the ball, but kick it, which is why we have picked the 7-1 bench.
“We play a kicking game which means our nine is very vital. If we can beat them in the tight phases, the scrums and the mauls we can win the game, but otherwise we will struggle.”
Prediction: Boks by seven
“It’s a big challenge against the All Blacks, who have some good form back. We have to do the basics really well, and we have the team to do that. We have a brilliant pack of forwards and good forwards coming off the bench as well and that’s a massive weapon of ours.
“One thing that will be big is the kicking game and getting territory, and with Handre Pollard there to steady the ship a little bit, that will be a big difference.
“It’s an experienced team, they have seen it all before, I don’t think they will get flustered … there’s more than enough experience to get the job done.”
Prediction: Boks by four or five
“Rassie (Erasmus) and Jacques (Nienaber) are going to stick to their plan, again it’s a 7-1 split. Faf (de Klerk) coming in means we’re going to kick a lot, which I’m a bit disappointed about, I would have wanted us to play more with the ball.
“Yes, you play to your strengths, and that’s our forwards. Against the All Blacks, we’re going to have to come with more than that.
“It’s a bit arrogant to pick a 7-1 split against an All Blacks side, which is growing in stature. You can never write off an All Black side. They are under the radar, and we haven’t heard a lot from them which concerns me a bit.”
Prediction: Boks by four or five
“I think it’s going to be close in the early stages and a lot will depend on how well the Boks perform when the All Blacks kick on them; they haven’t been great in that department recently.
“But I think the Boks should have the upperhand in the set-pieces and their rush defence is something that the All Blacks don’t like too much. And then there’s that powerful bench that will raise the intensity at the end, and I don’t think the All Blacks will be able to deal with it.
“Also, the weather is definitely going to play a part. Who’ll handle it best?”
Prediction: Boks by six
Additional reporting by Ross Roche and Jacques van der Westhuyzen
