The semi-finals of the World Cup will take place on Oct. 20-21 in France, with the defending champions South Africa facing New Zealand and England taking on Argentina. The matches will have huge ramifications as the winners advance to the final on Oct. 28 and win the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup. With 20 teams competing for the title, it’s difficult to predict who will win this year. But some contenders can upset the odds and lift the trophy.
The defending champions have a great chance to defend their crown at the Rugby World Cup 2023, and they are considered firm favorites to win the tournament again. South Africa’s thumping of rivals New Zealand in the warm-up match showed they are the team to beat. However, the All Blacks are also a dangerous side to face and can upset the odds.
Ireland and Wales are the other two teams who have qualified for the semi-finals after they topped their pools. The All Blacks and the Springboks will face off in a mouth-watering showdown in Paris. Both sides are ranked No. 2 globally, and the winner will likely finish top of Pool A.
South Africa’s resurgence since the departure of Eddie Jones has made them a serious contender, and they are priced at 10/3 to win the tournament. Their powerful forwards and fastbacks will make them tough to beat. However, their consistency can sometimes be an issue.
England (12/5) have struggled since their fall from grace following the departure of Eddie Jones, but they have a talented squad and a passionate support base. They have an excellent chance to advance to the final but must overcome a strong Argentina and Samoa team.
Defending champions New Zealand have won the tournament three times, and they are a strong contender to retain the Webb Ellis Cup in 2023. The All Blacks are a formidable side to play and will look to bounce back from their opening defeat to Ireland in the tournament opener.
The tournament will feature 20 matches, and each team earns four points for a win and two for a draw. Teams will be awarded a bonus point for scoring four or more tries. In the event of a tie, two 10-minute periods of extra time will be played to determine a winner. If the scores remain tied, a kicking competition will be held. The full schedule is available here. Every tournament match will be broadcast live in the United States on NBC’s streaming service Peacock. A free trial is available through this link. (This site may receive a commission for purchase via the links). NBC’s streaming coverage is available on the NBC Sports app, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire. Those who want to stream the games on the go can also do so through the CBS All Access app and ESPN+.