Sunday October 15th
England vs Fiji (16:00 KO), Marseille
Sunday’s double-header of Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final action begins with England taking on Fiji. heading into the competition, England fans were holding their breath to avoid a quarter-final re-union with their former Head Coach Eddie Jones, however the underperforming Wallabies took an early exit thanks to the Pacific Islanders, with Jones’ future rumoured to be a return to Japan.
Instead, England will take on Fiji, in a re-match of their recent Summer Nations Series match which closed out their Rugby World Cup preparations. This fixture saw Fiji become the first ‘tier two’ nation to defeat England, as they recorded a historic 30-22 win at Twickenham Stadium. The Flying Fijians have surpassed expectations, and finished runners-up in the widely unpredictable Pool C.
Fiji secured two stunning wins over Australia (22-15) and Georgia (17-12) to establish a favourable position heading into the final round of pool stage matches. Fiji only needed one point to send the Wallabies home, and achieved it via a losing bonus point in the shock defeat to Portugal. This loss would have knocked the confidence of Simon Raiwalui’s men, who have made a brief yet unwanted habit of falling at the final hurdle in World Cup matches.
Fiji would have started off their Rugby World Cup campaign with a win over Wales, had former Bristol Bears centre Semi Radradra caught the pass, that put him clean through to score in the final play of the match. Fiji ended their Pool C venture with a dramatic defeat to Portugal, as Rodrigo Mata’s 78th minute try built towards ‘The Wolves’ first ever Rugby World Cup victory.
England’s form has best resembled a roller-coaster throughout the past six weeks. The historic loss to Fiji saw them enter the tournament at a record low World Rugby ranking of eighth, before a strong win over Argentina changed their favours. England dipped slightly in the troublesome task of beating Japan, but sky-rocketed back to form as they cruised to victory against Chile. A final drop in intensity saw England escape Samoan embarrassment by the skin of their teeth, and set up an unpredictable landscape for the knock-out stages.
RUCK’s Prediction: England 25 – 10 Fiji
France vs South Africa (20:00 KO), Saint-Denis
The final quarter-final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup has all the makings of an instant classic. The previewing script writes like the final act of an underdog story, yet this clash comes in the last eight of the competition. France, the host nation looking to win the tournament for the first time in their history, are being willed on indefinitely by the home support, and their talismanic captain is set for a return.
They line-up against everyone’s ‘love to hate’ opponents, South Africa. The reigning World Champions will leave it all on the line, in an undeniable effort to retain their title. Not fazed by the numerous injury set-backs, the mastermind partnership of Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus will use every trick in their book, and throw 7-1 splits, ‘Bomb Squads’ and traffic lights at Fabien Galthie’s men in Saint-Denis.
Entering the competition after handing the beloved All Blacks a humbling defeat, the Springboks were humbled themselves by Ireland in an explosive Pool B clash. The ‘Boks have brought in two of their best reinforcements, with fly half Handre Pollard and centre Lukhanyo Am now back from injury. This has come at the expense of two key starters, (wing Makazole Mapimpi and hooker Malcolm Marx) as South Africa’s side has been weakened and strengthened in different areas of the pitch.
France scrum half Antoine Dupont has reportedly been given the all clear to participate in this all-important match. He has made a recovery from his cheek-bone fracture, with speculation as to whether he’ll wear a scrum cap, or protective mask fitting to be his nation’s superhero. Historical meetings favour the Springboks, who have won seven of their last eight meetings against France. However, the most recent meeting brought about a Springboks defeat, as France ran out a 30-26 triumph last Autumn.
The two sides have only ever met once before at the Rugby World Cup, which coincidentally came when the Springboks hosted the tournament back in 1995. South Africa won that semi-final match 19-15, before going on to defeat the All Blacks in an iconic final in Johannesburg. The home nation support certainly motivated Francois Pienaar’s men back in ’95, with Dupont and co set to rally behind the sea of French tricolours set the engulf the Stade de France.
There are few teams that you could bet on to beat the Springboks in a Rugby World Cup quarter-final, yet today’s iteration of Les Bleus are one such side. Fabien Galthie has pieced together a well-oiled machine, that looks expertly trained in ‘Bomb Squad’ defusal. The home-soil advantage, and South Africa’s hindered confidence after the defeat to Ireland, helps sway are pick in this one towards the hosts… but only just.
RUCK Prediction: France 22 – 19 South Africa
