The Rugby World Cup final should in theory feature the two best teams on the planet, but fans get to see that contest early as the top two teams in the world rankings meet in a huge clash at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Ireland sit top of the World Rugby rankings and are on a run of 15 successive Test wins, a sequence that stretches back to their historic series win in New Zealand last summer and includes their Six Nations Grand Slam in the spring.
They face South Africa, number two in the world and World Cup holders, and both teams have been going full steam ahead in the build-up to this tournament, when the Springboks pulled off a shock 35-7 demolition of New Zealand, and in their opening pool matches.
Something has to give in Paris and this looks set to be a seismic showdown.
- South Africa to win by one to 12 points
- Under 44.5 points
- South Africa penalty first scoring play
WATCH IN THE ZONE - JASON ROBINSON
Boks Can Power To Narrow Win
Everything points to this being a tight contest. These nations have met 14 times this century, winning seven times each, and the most recent meeting was in Dublin last November when Ireland edged it 19-16.
Nine of the last 12 meetings between the sides have been decided by a single-figure margin and it’s no surprise that bookmakers can barely split the pair, making Ireland marginal 6-5 outsiders. Even the tournament form is almost identical - both teams have already played Romania, Ireland winning 82-8 and South Africa 76-0.
The Boks have always built their game on brute strength up front and that has continued to prove successful in their 2019 World Cup triumph and 2021 series victory over the British & Irish Lions.
But South Africa have gone further than just sticking to a winning formula, and are pushing their advantage to the max by naming seven forwards and just one back on the bench for this match.
The big talking point in the build-up has been the Springboks’ forward power and their decision to go heavy on the forwards.
Clearly Ireland will know what’s coming their way, but expecting it and stopping it are two different things.
There was a huge physical factor in their meeting last November, when Ireland stayed in the battle for the first half and struck incisively with two tries after the break that were enough for them to survive a late fightback.
That was in Dublin at the tail-end of the Boks’ international campaign, but both teams should be at the peak of fitness now and on a level playing field in terms of preparation. Both nations are playing with a lot of confidence but the Springboks can edge it with their power game.
SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN BY 1-12 POINTS
Every Point Counts In Tight Battle
South Africa’s defensive record at the World Cup is nothing short of astonishing. In 2019 they lost their opening match 23-12 to tournament favourites New Zealand, but shipped just 13 points in their remaining three pool matches then just one try in their three knockout games.
They have picked up this year where they left off, winning their pool matches 18-3 against Scotland and 76-0 against Romania.
For a team who boast huge pace and flair out wide, including Saturday’s starting wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe, South Africa are more than happy to grind things out and win ugly. This could be another of those occasions.
Best Foot Forward In Opening Exchanges
The opening exchanges in a contest like this are so often fierce and fascinating, and having set down their marker with their physical edge, the Springboks look sure to want to make their presence felt.
They won 18 penalties against Romania and ten versus Scotland, against whom they also bossed the set-piece.
If scrum penalties come South Africa’s way, don’t expect them to kick for the corner early on. Any offer of points looks sure to be snapped up and the Boks have the power to force the issue.
SOUTH AFRICA PENALTY FIRST SCORING PLAY
South Africa vs Ireland Teams
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Bench: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Kwagga Smith, 23 Cobus Reinach
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Bench: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Robbie Henshaw
