Rugby World Cup 2019 – The Final Countdown!

It’s the Anglo Boer War all over again, but this time around both countries will battle on foreign soil.

Yes folks, Rugby World Cup 2019 has reached the much anticipated Final, and the boys are at it again. England will take on South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama on Saturday 02 November.

Eddie Jones together with English captain Owen Farrell’s side gave a clinical performance in their semi-final against the tournament favorites, The All Blacks in a 19-7 victory in Yokohama, placing a firm grip on the William Webb Ellis trophy entering the final as world number 1 and clear favorites.

England after winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup

Rassie Erasmus, being appointed as the Springbok head coach merely 19 months ago will most certainly have his work cut out for Saturday’s final encounter after Siya Kolisi’s side edged a narrow 19-16 victory over Wales. In a below-par contest, Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted that ‘South Africa deserved to win. They may need to be a bit more expansive, though, in how they play next week.’

South Africa after winning the 2007 Rugby World Cup

England has been clinical and structured throughout the tournament, beating 3 out of 4 southern hemisphere greats, and did so quite comfortably with a 39-10 victory over Argentina, bashing the Aussies 40-16 and out-playing the All Blacks 19-7. Should the English overcome the Springboks in Saturday’s encounter will they become the first side in rugby world cup history to play and beat all four Southern greats in a single tournament.

South Africa on the other hand has had a much easier route to the final, very much the same as when they last lifted the trophy in 2007. Other than England, The Springboks failed to prove worthy against the All Blacks in a 23-13 defeat in their opening match-up. Should the Springboks however walk out as victors, will they become the first side in rugby world cup history to have lost a match during the tournament and to lift the trophy.

Nonetheless, Records will be made.

The Springboks and Red Roses has met in 42 previous encounters, including 4 World Cup match-ups, with history favoring South Africa with 25 wins (3 in World Cups) and 2 draws. Undoubtedly the most famous victory being the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final at Stade de France when the Boks overpowered the Roses 15-6.

With both teams playing very much the same brand of rugby, taking to the air and forcing mistakes through structured defense, very similar to the style South Africa used in their 2007 campaign. Jones being the only constant from the previous RWC encounter, when he formed part of The Springbok coaching staff, has throughout the world cup seemed to have bettered the structured territory brand of rugby in the English side.

Another interesting fact will be that the Springboks seem to work in 3’s and 12’s. The Rugby World Cup brand started in 1987, Francois Pienaar lifted the trophy in 1995 in the 3rd Rugby World Cup, 12 Years from when the tournament was founded. John Smit repeated this pattern in 2007, when he too lifted the trophy, 3 tournaments and 12 years since 1995. Siya Kolisi will have the opportunity Saturday to continue this coincidental pattern of 3’s and 12’s, should he lift the trophy for the 3rd time in South African history, 3 tournaments and 12 years from 2007.

History most certainly favors South Africa, but will that be enough to overcome the in-form and favorites to win English side?

All facts and records aside, The world’s eyes will be set on Japan RWC 2019. Will it be Eddie Jones’ Red Roses or Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks to lift the trophy, only time will tell. One thing the world can be sure of, we are set for one epic, entertaining spectacle of Rugby.

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