South Africa v Scotland Predictions, Betting Tips & Odds (Rugby World Cup 2023)
- Written by David Bet
Scotland square off against current world champions South Africa in the penultimate match on the opening weekend of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Will the Bravehearts announce to the world that they are genuine contenders by taking the scalp of the defending champions in their opening game? Don't miss our South Africa vs Scotland betting preview, with free predictions, betting tips, latest odds, exclusive offers and free bets to use on the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France!
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South Africa vs Scotland Betting Preview
The South Africans are the reigning Rugby World Cup champions having won the 2019 tournament when they beat England in the final 32-12 to cap off an incredible campaign. They hey are ranked as 2nd in the world after a strong 2023, having suffered just one loss this year. That defeat came against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship back in July. Since then the Springboks have won four matches in a row - two against Argentina, a 52-16 thrashing of Wales and an impressive 35-7 success over the All Blacks in Twickenham.
South Africa Starting Line-up
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. Malcolm Marx, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Marco van Staden, 21. Duane Vermeulen, 22. Grant Williams, 23. Willie le Roux
The Springboks named their side two days earlier than scheduled with four changes made since their impressive victory over New Zealand in their final friendly before the World Cup. Wiese, Vermeulen, De Allende, Kriel and Kolbe come into the side.
Scotland are currently ranked 5th in the world after enjoying a good season. They finished 3rd in the RBS Six Nations behind Ireland and France, a tournament that saw them recording remarkable victories over England in Twickenham and Wales (35-7) in Murrayfield. They have played four preparation matches this summer, beating Italy in the first one. Then, Scotland went 1-1 against France - winning at home and losing away - while their most recent outing saw the Scots comfortably defeating Georgia 33-6.
Scotland Starting Line-up
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. Malcolm Marx, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Marco van Staden, 21. Duane Vermeulen, 22. Grant Williams, 23. Willie le Roux
The Scots have made six changes for this game, with Blair Kinghorn’s return at full back stealing the headlines. Darcy Graham has been cleared fit to play after missing the last match, and Zander Fagerson is also back in the team, having served his suspension for the red card he received against France. Pierre Schoeman, George Turner and Richie Gray have all also come back in.
South Africa vs Scotland Best Odds
South Africa go into this game as the commanding favourites at odds of 1/5 with Bet365. Scotland on the other hand are the underdogs at 4/1 in the betting with William Hill while the draw can be backed at odds of 40/1 with William Hill again.
South Africa vs Scotland predictions
If Scotland are to progress from Pool B they’ll need to do something they’ve only done once in the last 32 years; beat a tier-one nation at a Rugby World Cup.
The current team is one of the best one the nation has assembled in living memory but this could not be enough to beat South Africa.
The Springboks power game and clinical nature may ultimately prove the difference in Marseille, but we don't expect a wide margin between the two teams.
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