THE bookies, experts and critics have spoken – and England will head into the 2019 Rugby World Cup final against South Africa on Saturday as favourites and lift the coveted Webb Ellis trophy for the second time.
Banter has been circulating on social media platforms between fans backing their sides.
Statistics have been thrown into the mix, current form and game plans have been analysed and current world rankings compared.
But though England seems to have the edge, never write off the Springboks with mastermind Rassie Erasmus at the helm..
England head into the final unbeaten, having knocked Australia and New Zealand out during the play-offs.
South Africa has taken the ‘easier’ road to the final, but still managed to make it there, despite fans disagreeing with selection and tactics.
Fact is, South Africa is the top points scorers at the 2019 World Cup and have a brilliant defensive and line-out record.
Personally I think this game is too close to call, but I have a feeling that the Boks will take it.
Going in as the underdog always holds advantages.
England proved this in their semi-final clash against the All Blacks.
There is always a losing game lurking in the World Cup, which South Africa had against the All Blacks in the pool stages, and England has not lost yet.
I believe that England played their final already in the semi-final, executing the perfect game plan to beat the defending champions and one cannot see them repeating that performance in the finals.
England beat South Africa last year in the end-of-year tour, only because Owen Farrel got away with murder after nearly decapitating Andre Esterhuyse.
The Boks have come a long way since Erasmus took over, winning their first ever Rugby Championship title this year and boast a talented and well-rounded side.
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England are ranked number one in the world and have tasted Six Nation success numerous times under the man, Eddie Jones, who coached Japan to beating SA in the 2015 opening game.
But with all that said, both Erasmus and Jones can only prep their sides to a certain extent
There are factors that one cannot control or predict, namely the bounce of the ball, the referee’s decisions, a red or yellow card and a try from a turnover.
All I know is that come Saturday at 11am, millions of rugby fanatics will be on the edge of their seats, praying their team will win the war.
Should the Springboks change their tactics or game plan ahead their final against England on Saturday? #Bokke #RugbyWorldCup19
— Zululand Observer (@ZOPublications) October 31, 2019
Teams
South Africa – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Francois Louw, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn.
England – 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Tom Curry, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Substitutes: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Dan Cole, 19 George Kruis, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Henry Slade and 23 Jonathan Joseph.
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