France vs South Africa 2023 Rugby World Cup QF Predictions, Odds, Picks and Betting Preview

• South Africa are the defending champions but will have to subdue the home crowd to overcome France
• Les Bleus will be eyeing another Southern Hemisphere scalp after beating the All Blacks in the opener
• Malcolm Marx will be a huge loss for the Springboks while France are set to gamble on Antoine Dupont

In what will cap off a weekend of quarter-final delirium, an irresistible force meets an immovable object.

There will be no room for error from either squad as the finest of margins will decide who will pack their bags in regret.

Rugby World Cup hosts France, boasting a squad groomed for years to complete this very task, must do what no Northern Hemisphere team has done in a World Cup knockout game: defeat the Springboks.

France vs South Africa Betting Preview

Where: Stade de France, Saint Denis

When: Sunday, October 15 at 21:00 local time

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Odds: France (1.75) vs South Africa (1.68) – view all lines

Betting on France (1.75)

Surprisingly, France have statistical supremacy over South Africa in an area the Boks would usually dominate.

World Rugby number-crunchers state the French have had a better tournament in the lineouts and at scrum time, winning an average of 91% and 94% respectively.

By comparison, the Springboks have won 89% of their lineouts and 81% of their scrums.

As for personnel, Les Bleus will be sweating on the decision to play Antoine Dupont. Reports have suggested France will dubiously risk his cheekbone, alluding to a possible lack of a plan B.

Neutrals will be conscious of the French reputation for being unpredictable and considering they have been on fire so far, that moment of madness must be just around the corner.

Betting on South Africa (1.68)

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It may be an unfamiliar position for the Springboks, but they come into this quarter-final as slight underdogs.

It will suit them fine, as Rassie Erasmus would have been sitting in the dark until the early hours of the morning plotting a French demise.

Whether Handre Pollard or Manie Libbok gets the start at flyhalf, expect the Springboks to play a patient, territorial game, and pounce on mistakes.

The question will be if they can avoid making their own errors. They have not been on song at set pieces and Malcolm Marx is a massive loss, both there and at the breakdown.

South Africa have beaten France in all of the last three games played at the Stade de France, albeit over a span of 10 years.

Les Bleus won their last meeting, but it was played at the Velodrome in Marseille.

Writer's Prediction

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It is as good as a coin toss and making a prediction comes with an element of heart over mind (South Africa - 1.68)

Although unlikely, with all the hype and importance, fans could see two teams frozen by the occasion, both desperate not to disappoint (France - 1.75)

All odds courtesy of 1XBet. Register your account now with 1XBet, so as to not miss any Rugby World Cup betting opportunities.

Springbok to be honoured after tournament

Sports Brief reported earlier that Springbok legend, Bryan Habana will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

The iconic South African speedster will take his place among rugby royalty come the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Habana scored a Springbok record of 67 tries in 124 tests, including a tournament-high of eight tries in their 2007 win.

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