Who Will Win?
New Zealand enter this clash with South Africa as slight favourites. However, this Rugby World Cup final really is anyone’s game.
The All Blacks have earned the ‘favourites’ label because they easily cruised past Argentina in their semi-final, while the Springboks edged past England by the skin of their teeth.
That said, both of these sides are in good form and have only lost one game during the tournament. Plus, both of these squads have won the Rugby World Cup three times before, meaning they both know how to handle the pressure on the biggest stage of them all.
Think you know which way New Zealand vs South Africa will go? Vote in our poll.
Head-to-Head
Amazingly, the All Blacks hold a winning record against every international team they’ve ever played. However, in the last five meetings between these two teams, South Africa have won three games while New Zealand have only won two. The Springboks have also won both of the last two games between the sides, including a comprehensive victory over the All Blacks just before the tournament began.
History tells us that the first try in New Zealand vs South Africa games is vital. This is because the team that has scored the first try has won the fixture 80% of the time!
Team Form
Both sides come into this game in fine form. However, while South Africa struggled to squeeze past a spirited England side in their semi-final, New Zealand demolished Argentina 44-6 and look as though they are peaking at just the right time.
Below our team form guide, you can see in-depth stats about how the two sides have performed in their last five games, including stats about the number of tries they’ve scored, their overall points difference and the number of times they’ve scored the first try. New Zealand have the edge in many of these categories, but it takes a brave person to bet against the Springboks.
Player Head-to-Head
Rugby World Cup finals are often decided by one moment of individual brilliance. After all, who can forget Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal in the 2003 final?
With this in mind, here’s how Richie Mo'unga and Manie Libbok have performed in recent games between the two countries. Could either of these fly-halves produce a moment of magic that could win the Rugby World Cup for their country?
Other Fixtures
The Rugby World Cup final is undoubtedly the pick of the action this weekend. But, before New Zealand vs South Africa kicks off, take a look at all of the recent fixtures and get a sense of how each side has been performing.
New Zealand vs South Africa 2023: Detailed Match Preview
On Saturday 28th October, 2023, New Zealand will face South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris.
This promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams that are at the peak of their powers. New Zealand enter the clash in fine form. Since they were defeated by France in the opening game of the tournament, they’ve been imperious and have won each game they’ve played at a canter. They even put 44 points past Argentina in their semi-final!
Meanwhile, South Africa, who are the reigning world champions, also come into this game playing some of their best rugby. Although they were pushed to the limit by England in their semi-final, the Springboks have been playing with a point to prove since they were defeated by Ireland in the pool stage.
This particular clash looks set to be one for the ages. After all, both teams are evenly matched and feature two colossal packs that won’t give ground to the other.
Whichever team wins will become the first country to win the Webb Ellis Cup four times - we can’t wait to see which captain is holding the trophy aloft on Saturday evening. Let us know what you think will happen in the comments.
SOUTH AFRICA FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 0/35 (0%)HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 35/35 (100%)
Every Springbok at RWC 2023 was born and raised in South Africa. The 2019 champions have a completely homegrown roster to defend their title.
Head Coach Jacques Nienaber named Jean Kleyn on his Rugby Championship roster. Kleyn is South African born, raised and produced. Under the terminology ‘project player’, Kleyn played five Tests for Ireland, including starting against the entirely homegrown Russia at RWC 2019. He qualified via three years residency after arriving in Ireland in 2016. South Africa voted against changing Regulation 8.
Hooker Malcom Marx was injured and replaced by fly half Handre Pollard during the pool stage. Winger Makazole Mapimpi was injured in South Africa’s final pool match and replaced by Lukhanyo Am. The changes have been added to the South African roster data.
NEW ZEALANDFOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 8/33 (24.2%)HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 30/33 (90.9%)
Nine RWC 2023 All Blacks were not born in New Zealand. This is an increase from six at Rugby World Cup 2019 and four from the World Champion side from Rugby World Cup 2015.
Two qualify via family ancestry and ten via residency. The family-qualified players are Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax who both moved to New Zealand as children. de Groot did so as an infant while Lomax was schooled in both Australia and New Zealand.
Lomax moved back to Australia at the age of 13. He returned to New Zealand again aged 21. For this reason he is not considered as a homegrown All Black. He is the son of former New Zealand professional Rugby League player, John Lomax.
The residency players can be classified into two categories. First, players who moved as children. Second, players who obtained All Black eligibility as adults. Leicester Fainga’anuku moved to New Zealand aged 2 and Ofa Tu’ungafasi did so aged 14. Finlay Christie moved aged 7. Samisomi Taukei’aho is borderline as he moved to New Zealand aged 16.
Like Taukei’aho, Shannon Frizzel earned a scholarship to play in New Zealand following a tour to the country while playing for Tonga at junior level. Frizzel qualified to play for New Zealand as an adult as did rookie Emoni Narawa. He moved from Fiji to finish his final year of schooling in New Zealand. Frizzel and Narawa are not homegrown.
Ethan Blackadder replaced Narawa on the roster one day after New Zealand faced France. The change means Narawa will not play in the World Cup. As a result, the New Zealand totals have been adjusted.
SOURCE
americasrugbynews . com/
Foreign-Born / Produced / Homegrown Players at Rugby World Cup 2023
by Paul Tait August 30, 2023
too easy, Bula
South Africa World Champions! Well deserved!
Possession last 10 minutes NZ 66% SA 34%. What does that tell you? Only one thing. The dam wall did not break. to strong, well built, well construted by real know how engineers.
The All Blacks won the Haka challenge prior to the match. This was obvious. Everyone could see it.
South Africa didn't even fire a shot - or have anything to say about it.
It was just glaringly evident that New Zealand were already ahead in terms of motivation, intensity and energy.
And then there was a game of rugby...
Perhaps if the All Blacks had practiced rugby during the previous week, instead of practicing screaming dancing theatrics - they might actually have been good enough to win the game that they were there for.
The Haka is dead.
It was a challenge but it failed to overcome its opponent.
I had previously said that the All Blacks should only be given the opprtunity to perform the Haka if they had beaten their previous opponent.
Now, what right do the All Blacks have to perform the Haka - if their opponents cannot perform their corresponding 'challenge'?
Also, I think it is unfair that the world should have to be subjected to two long boring verses of New Zealand's national dirge prior to them being indoctrinated into NZ's obviously ineffective 'war challenge'.
Just sing the Maori version (white NZers - just accept it). This will cut down the boredom for the entire planet by 50%
Undisputed.
It's official. New Zealand rugby is the dumbest sporting entity on the planet.
South Africa wins the war of intelligence.
NZ Rugby Board of 'woke' activists. Accepting of mediocrity and defeat.
How did your ass-slapping Haka paddle go?
Really scared the Springboks didn't it?
Give it away.
If the Haka (or whatever you call it) symbolizes NZ Rugby - then what effect does it have for the All Blacks?
Show ponies, all hype, pull aside the curtain... nothing there!
This could have been turned around - as recently as last year - before the 2nd Test at Ellis Park, when instead of firing the coach then, the Board sent in coaching reinforcements, coinciding with South Africa purposely deselecting their best player [Malcolm Marx]. So the Springboks were happy to lose a battle - in order to win the war.
The unprecendented series loss to Ireland - Foster should have been fired at that point.
And why is it that New Zealand only began to lose to Ireland since Foster joined the coaching setup since 2016?
Wayne Barnes won the cup for SA. Damn him to hell.
He must have grown up hating the All Blacks…to him, it's a lifetime hangup.
Nigel where are you?
A clown coach and a team with a token captain still manage to lift the cup. Again.