Rugby World Cup to be expanded to 24 teams in 2027
It is such a shame England aren’t there but this Rugby World Cup final – a re-enactment of the sport’s greatest rivalry – could be one for the ages. The All Blacks can play rugby of the gods and they have done so at this tournament but for me this is South Africa’s final to lose.
I just think they are in a much better position psychologically. New Zealand’s performance against Argentina last weekend in the most one-sided semi-final I can remember was outstanding. That was the best the All Blacks have played for at least 12 months.
My concern for them is they may have played their World Cup final a game too early like England did in 2019. South Africa were well under par against England and they will get a reaction from that tonight. They will be better for sure. Will New Zealand? I can’t see it.
New Zealand’s first priority has to be to match South Africa in the physical battle – that’s what England did in the semifinal and look how close it got them. The Springboks have more in their locker these days than just brute force – if the conditions are right they are able to move the ball a lot more – but that power is in their DNA.
When these two sides met at Twickenham just before the World Cup in a warm-up game, the Boks got on top physically and smashed New Zealand. That hammering will be in the backs of Kiwi minds.
The 7-1 bench split South Africa have gone for is a clue that they can expect more of the same in Paris. World Cup finals are always tight. They don’t tend to be try-fests.
When South Africa beat my England side in the 2007 final they didn’t score one. When they beat New Zealand in the 1995 final they didn’t score one either. So if they have to, South Africa will be happy to rely on the boot of Handre Pollard.
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Picking him and Faf de Klerk gives the Springboks that extra bit of experience at half-back which will be important on an occasion like this. In all, they have 10 of the 15 players that started the 2019 final in the side including the captain Siya Kolisi who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in Yokohama. They know what it takes.
It would be a huge achievement for South Africa if they could go back to back. When you throw in their victory over the Lions as well in between, it would mark this down as one of the most special teams in rugby’s history.
Mark Cueto was speaking in partnership with broadband provider The 4th Utility.
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