Two of rugby's oldest foes go to battle once more on Saturday, October 28, with New Zealand taking on South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. Both sides have overcome adversity to reach the decider, and now both stand just 80 minutes away from lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.
The two sides have faced off fairly recently, with the Springboks handing their rivals a 35-7 thumping at Twickenham Stadium in both nations' last matches before the tournament started. New Zealand were 35-20 victors earlier in the year, during July's 2023 Rugby Championship.
New Zealand suffered a 27-13 loss to hosts France in their opening pool stage match, but have rallied significantly since to record five straight victories, four of which have been thrashings (of Namibia, Italy, Uruguay and Argentina), to reach their first final since winning the 2015 tournament.
South Africa are back in the decider as defending champions, having beaten England in 2019. The Springboks also lost once in the pool stages, to Ireland, but have edged both France and England in the knockouts to come within touching distance of the trophy for the second tournament running.
MORE: All Blacks thump Argentina to book 2023 Rugby World Cup Final place
New Zealand vs South Africa match facts
- Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
- Kick-Off Time: 9 p.m. local (8 p.m. UK)
- Location: Stade de France (Saint-Denis, France)
- Official: Wayne Barnes (ENG)
- Last meeting: South Africa 35-7 New Zealand (Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture)
New Zealand vs South Africa prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: New Zealand WIN
- Score prediction: 23-16
| Result | Australia (Unibet) | UK (BetOnSports) |
| New Zealand win | 1.78 | 8/11 |
| New Zealand win AET | 1.76 | 4/6 |
| Draw (after 80 mins) | 23.00 | 18/1 |
| South Africa win | 2.15 | 6/5 |
| South Africa win AET | 2.07 | 11/10 |
MORE: Tournament predictions for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
New Zealand vs South Africa best bet
- Pick: Will Jordan 1st Try-Scorer
- Odds: 15/2 (BetOnSports)
The All Blacks have made rapid-fire starts throughout this tournament, scoring the first try in every single match they've played.
Will Jordan has been New Zealand's main strike weapon out on the right-hand side, crossing for a record-equalling eight World Cup tries so far in 2023. He's scored the first try in two of the four matches he's played too, including last time out against Argentina on the way to a semifinal hat-trick.
Given the Springboks have started both their knockout stage matches on the back foot, with France and England both scoring first in their respective games, we're backing New Zealand to notch the first five-pointer of the final too, through their free-scoring number 14.
New Zealand vs South Africa flier bet
- Pick: Teams to be tied at halftime
- Odds: 8/1 (BetOnSports)
Matches between these two fierce rivals are rarely one-sided (apart from their most recent meeting of course), and that tightness will be ramped up further given the occasion.
The only previous final to feature both the All Blacks and Springboks came in 1995 on South African soil, and given that try-less encounter was just 9-6 to the hosts at half-time, we're backing the 2023 edition to be just as evenly-matched.
New Zealand are tipped to score first, but the sheer power and flawless execution of the Springbok forwards' gameplay will yield enough penalties and try-scoring opportunities to keep well within touching distance and draw them level by the 40-minute mark.