Libbok hasn't had one good test. He is abysmal in all phases of the game. We can talk selections, but the coaching is some of the worst I've ever seen! The newest gimmick is speed to "do stuff". It still remains the worst prepared and least capable Bok side in a WC. That's saying a lot. Because we were very poor throughout 2019!
Libbok vs Ireland….4 tackles made/ 3 missed
Libbok vs Scotland…4 tackles made / 3 missed
Kick percentage made vs Scotland 43%
Kick percentage made vs Ireland 20%
….
Now I know Libbok didn’t take all those kicks, but if he kicked competently he would have .
Those are WC losing stats.
Ireland toured NZ last year so the ABs know exactly whats comin' at em ........... NZ by7
I know sweet f.a about the French. I pick Pollard & I scheme Rassie will stick with DDA & JK ........... i'm more concerned about the battle up front, the breakdown stoush.
ABs by 9
France by 11
This Irish team will not be beaten easily...but they're on a big winning streak and it is knockout rugby vs NZ...Ireland favorites but NZ will have a good shot...
At this stage I'll go with Ireland and Bokke making it trough the Qurters in narrow margin wins.
Boks by 5. ABs by 1…… Don’t think the Frog defence is as good as their attack and if Pollard starts and bangs over a few goals it’s going to be tough for the Frogs to come back. In knock out rugby I’m sure the Boks will be taking the points at every opportunity and won’t consider kicking into the corner unless they are well up. My prediction for the ABs is out of hope rather than any confidence. Not sure how we can break down the Irish excellent defence.
Fiji to the be the only Southern hemisphere representation in the semi finals!
All Blacks and France to go through.
Boks and wee ABS to win.
Awwww Beanhead
Rugby is a very political game, governed by trade interests.
No northern hemisphere big team (one felt as a potential winner) would be as bad as no southern hemisphere team.
At least, one team of each must make it.
So far, IR and SA rugby are showed as recipients for favourable ref decisions.
So: IR vs NZ: IR
FR vs SA rugby: SA rugby.
Expectations of controversial reffing calls if necessary.
Boks will win if we get our selections right which means starting Am at 13, RG at 5 and Moodie ahead of Arendse on the wing. Pollard needs to start at 10 but Libbok must be on the bench
AB’s are going to beat Ireland as Ireland are due a loss and the AB’s a due a turnaround
England will beat Fiji and Wales will beat Argentina
Here was me saying nice stuff about Ireland and then Stav says Fiji will beat us !! How mean 
I’m just hoping for some cracking matches this weekend.
Although I think Ireland plays fantastic rugga, I think I'm gonna will NZ to win if I start watching the match...having said that...Ireland - Bokke would probably be the epic final that would make this RWC...the Irish really deserve it and we're more than good enough to deserve defending our title.
Poms and Wales going through, although I'm hoping Argie can play to potential and upset the Taffies.
Tough road ahead for the Springboks.
If they manage a win against France they should go all the way to the final.
But it is going to be a hard and difficult time for them but with a bit of luck and no serious injuries or cards to the top players the remaining games will be close.
But looking forward to some great rugby by the Springboks in this final stretch.
Ja, no shame in losing to France...but the Bokke will be up for the challenge.
Here was me saying nice stuff about Ireland and then Stav says Fiji will beat us !! How mean 
Stav, Ireland will be easier to like without Sexton. 
...and the odds of all 4 NH teams going through is very slim...I will be very surprised if no SH team makes it to the final, never mind SFs...
I know you were, Stav 
.
Good luck this weekend and enjoy the games.
The two star matches are too close to call. But reading Dawson’s predictions I think NH confidence is a bit overdone.
The most ironical sequence:
New Zealand beats Ireland
Wales beats Argentina
England beats Fiji
Boks beat France
……
All Blacks beat Wales
England beat South Africa
…..
All Blacks beat England …or England beats the All Blacks…any result in this game would be ironical.
To be clear I’m not predicting any of that, but the Gods Must Be Crazy.
I don’t have over confidence, Mozart !
I’m already stressed about our match.
Understood….losing a second game to Fiji might be a bitter pill. Still I think England has the best probability of making the semis.
England by 18
I think the Bok forwards will take Du Pont out of he gets on the field and that will distrupt France.
New Zealanders are never ones to underestimate the Boks - NEVER.
I think the Boks will beat France.
Well the irish game - NZ have been waiting very quietly for this one for quite some time.
The AB's need to get their mongrel on like they did in Dublin in 2016.
This is Irelands best chance ever, but NZ is a formidable team...gonna be some good watching...and difficult picking a team to support...my heart will have to tell me while watching, cause ATM I have no idea who I would like to win.
The 3 other games are easy to support the underdogs...and the Bokke of coarse.
Go wee abs, I have had more than enough of these arrogant NH types thinking they have this RWC sowed up.
On top of that we have some so called Bok supporters hoping the Boks crash so that they can have yet another go at Rassie.
I believe both the Boks and wee abs can win and hope they do.
Bok Nz final would be epic!
I haven't seen much arrogance from anyone in the NH. If anything they respect the challenge more than our fanbase do. I see more honesty and humility. Ireland are on a winning streak, and that is set for a loss sooner rather than later.
IRELAND vs NEW ZEALAND
The odds of them extending that winning streak to a final are rather slim, no matter how well they have been playing. Given their history in going out early at WCs, I feel the Bok win might be their high point. New Zealand have looked better after their loss to France, but it hasn't been against quality teams. New Zealand are not at their best, in what is the lowest point in their entire rugby history. However, they will have some confidence, and in a knock-out, with strike power remaining, that is still a threat. I expect this game to be a very tense clash, but with New Zealand prevailing, and putting some distance between them and Ireland.
FRANCE vs SOUTH AFRICA
France are dangerous, and clearly are the better side. However, not many teams seem to be able to strategize appropriately for the dour game the Boks bring. Will they be sucked into the mediocrity of the Boks? Will the ref give the Boks more of those penalty streams? I am anticipating some cards here to sway the contest, and I have a feeling it will be against France more than the Boks. It really depends on how France turn up and how they apply themselves. The Boks have the worst ranking lineout in the SH, they have the worst ranking defence of the top tier nations. They don't have one top tackler in the competition. They cannot create on attack, especially when Faf and Libbok are together. The rugby IQ of the team is exceedingly low. I cannot see the Boks winning if France are playing well. If France are sloppy, defend passively, leave a cushion on the outside, or fail to deal with the high ball, then it becomes a completely different game. Seeing as I expect it to be scrappy, I have a feeling the Boks will have some chances with their speed. It defies logic, but I think the Boks will get through and live to fight another day.
Don’t think the Frog defence is as good as their attack
By metrics, FR has had the best defence of the tournament so far.
France just like Ireland, has created a winning culture. They are well oiled machines that work reliably…there Forward packs are standing up to SH power and combined with there clinical Attack plays, wil be hard to beat come this weekend. That is if they can with stand the pressure of a WC Knock-outs. The Boks and AB will be Amped to prove that they the best and a small advantage will be the Fact that they have been here before and are Familiar with those pressures…for me it’s to close to call…but The Paddies and Frenchies will be favourites.
They are the favourites, but things seldom work out as planned in these kinds of games. It would be bizarre for both NH sides to win, no matter how well they are playing, or how poor New Zealand and the Boks have been. It is most likely that New Zealand will prevail, and the FRA/RSA game is a 50/50, with France being the favourites. It defies logic in many respects, but it has the scent of the rugby gods about it.
This is probably wishful thing but ABs by 3 over Ireland; Boks by 3 over France; sadly Fiji to loose by 6 against Poms; Wales beat Argentina (welsh injuries could derail this). A lot has to go right for ABs to win but I feel they are ready & will give it their best.
New Zealand have the tools, and are in the best space they could be given the circumstances. As usual, will Fozzie Bear get the tactics right? Fiji will need a miracle to overcome England. They have lost to Fiji recently, but I don't think that'll be relevant. Wales and Argentina will be a 50/50. So much depends on which Argie side turns up. For the sake of the competition, I hope they both go full tilt.
Argentina struggles against the Wales play style...similar to the Bokke style of a few years back.
They don't struggle to play anyone. They sometimes just don't turn up. I cannot define what that is. Not having a domestic game with strong roots? Players scattershot across Europe? Cultural mentality? I have no idea. They have the tools. They have had the most talented backs in SH rugby for nearly a decade, and more than enough power up front. When they switch it on, they are very tough to beat.
18,427 posts
Quarter 1: France vs South Africa
France by 7.
I have to say that France is the favourite, however, if the Boks get their selections and combinations right - and the players have a good day - they could beat France
Messing around with the likes of Kriel, Delande - and perhaps even Pollard is not going to do it.
Pollard made his kicks, but he hardly set the world alight- so I am dubious about him starting - other than pole kicking.
The backline improved as soon as Libbok replaced Pollard. Ideally, Libock starts and Pollard is on the bench if his kicking is not good. I think if it is close, the Boks could pull away with the bench in the 2nd half.
Quarter 2: Ireland vs All Blacks
Ireland by 8
I have to say that Ireland is the favourite, but if the All-Black forwards can get 50% of possession, I think the All-Blacks will win. Retalick is the key man. The All-Black pack has looked better with him back, and Frizzel is also bringing physicality to the back row.
Quarter 3: Wales vs Argentina
Wales by 6.
Wales are playing better than what they have in a few years. Gatland is getting the best out of them. Dont, think Wales will beat any of the big 4, but they should cruise past Argentina.
Quarter 4:England vs Fiji
England by 7
The England forward pack should be too much. However, England's backline was dismal last week, so some new combinations are needed.
If the Boks and New Zealand get knocked out, it will be the first time a Southern Hemisphere team has not gotten past the quarters.