2023 Rugby World Cup - Semifinals Preview

We made it through the quarterfinals and all games but one were instant classics. It's going to be difficult to match the intensity and competition in the coming weeks, but here's to hoping for close matches!

Argentina 🇦🇷 vs New Zealand 🇳🇿

It's a Southern hemisphere showdown between these two sides. I fear that Argentina may be outmatched here, especially if New Zealand continues playing the way they have. Of the 36 matches these two have played against one another, New Zealand have won 33 of them, lost 2, and tied 1. That doesn't bode well for Argentina. BUT since 2020, Argentina has won twice! ... Out of seven matches. Sorry, Pumas, but I think your goose is cooked.

England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 vs South Africa 🇿🇦

Both of these sides had amazing quarterfinal matches that took a lot physically and emotionally. I feel England is in a better position from the physical standpoint after facing Fiji. While the game was indeed close, Fiji played more of a speed game against the English and less of a brutal, punishing game like France and South Africa. On paper, South Africa should win this. But England has played them tough recently, winning 3 of the last 5 (though getting absolutely demolished in the previous RWC final). If England are going to win this, they need to be deadly accurate with the drop goals. They don't seem to have the team speed to knock out a bunch of tries. If South Africa plays defense as they did against France, there won't be much space for England to boot points through. England is relatively stingy on defense themselves, but I expect the Boks team speed to bust through a few times. 

If the English can keep this within one score in the last 10 minutes, they have a real shot at winning, but if we get a lot of points, I expect that to be a runaway win for South Africa.

Finals Prediction

New Zealand 🇳🇿 vs South Africa 🇿🇦