South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup Odds Improve to +710; Are Springboks Still Elite?
- South Africa’s average odds to win the 2019 Rugby World Cup have improved from +840 to +710
- The Springboks recently posted a 16-16 draw at two-time defending RWC champion New Zealand
- They lost 20-18 to the All Blacks in the 2015 RWC semi-finals
South Africa’s national rugby team is like that Hilary Swank debate once held during an episode of The Office. Sometimes they are hot. Sometimes they are not.
Often, you’ll find evidence of both in the same tournament.
All of which serves to make betting on South Africa a bit of a challenge, because you can never be certain which side will show up.
Across the leading online sportsbooks, the Springboks’ chances in the 2019 Rugby World Cup odds have improved from +840 to +710.
2019 Rugby World Cup Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | +110 |
| England | +450 |
| Ireland | +500 |
| Wales | +700 |
| South Africa | +800 |
| Australia | +1400 |
Odds taken on 08/09/19.
A 16-16 draw at two-time defending RWC champion New Zealand got people excited again about the Springboks. That sawoff came on the heels of a 35-17 drubbing of 2015 RWC finalists Australia.
South Africa Are Often Inconsistent
The Springboks opened the 2015 RWC suffering a stunning 34-32 setback at the hands of Japan. It was one of the most shocking upsets in the history of the tournament.
But the Springboks rebounded to win their remaining three matches and still topped the group. They edged Wales 23-19 in the quarterfinals, and gave the All Blacks all they could handle before falling 20-18 in a gripping semifinal battle.
South Africa was the only country to stay within 10 points of New Zealand during the entire 2015 RWC.
South Africa Are New Zealand’s Kryptonite
If there’s one team that seems capable of getting inside the heads of the mighty All Blacks, it’s the Springboks. The vast majority of recent blemishes on New Zealand’s international slate were etched there by the South Africans.
There was last month’s 16-16 draw at Wellington in the Rugby Championship, fashioned when Herschel Jantjies scored a try with barely a minute to play.
Last year, also at New Zealand, the Springboks handed New Zealand a 36-34 setback. When the Springboks won their first RWC in 1995, a championship immortalized in the 2009 film Invictus, they overcame New Zealand to win the title. They beat the All Blacks 15-12 in the 1995 final.
In the 1999 RWC, the South Africans were 22-19 victors over New Zealand in the third-place game.
Arch Rivals To Square Off
These two world rugby giants are housed together in Group B at the 2019 RWC in Japan. Of all the group stage matches that will be contested, none figures to draw a bigger audience than will tune in to see the Springboks and All Blacks square off on September 21st in Yokohama.
It’s the first time since the tournament began in 1987 that both South Africa and New Zealand are in the same pool, and as much as they’ve enjoyed success against the All Blacks, the Springboks will be required to overcome decades of history in order to top their pool.
The All Blacks have never lost a match in pool play since the RWC was born. They are 28-0, and they’ve outscored the opposition by an average of 60-11.
Could There Be A Springboks’ Springboard?
Certainly, it’s never wise to count out the Springboks. When they are on their game, they can beat any side in the world.
Yet for all their recent success against New Zealand, this side hasn’t fared so well against the rest of the planet. Since the beginning of 2018, the Springboks are just 4-3-1 in international matches.
If you’re seeking a price to play as an underdog, Wales or Ireland are better bets than South Africa.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
