World Cup

So next Saturday is going to transport my nerves to another level. I may just go for an extra long walk

SA v England in the cricket followed by Chelsea v Arsenal and the SA v England in the rugby

I think the biggest mistake for the 'Boks would be over-confidence and thinking it will be a stroll in the park - can't really see them losing to England - provided they do no underestimate them - and then the physical exertions yesterday may also come into it (hopefully everyone would be fit and ready to go); the English also did not exactly have an easy time against Fiji, so maybe it will even up

When one matches up what has happened in the cricket World Cup this weekend against the rugby World Cup matches this weekend, the cricket was decidedly boring...about 6-7 poorly wasted hours for the cricket as compared to 2 hours of absolute thrills and heart-stopping moments and leaving it all out on the field for the rugby...

TNaicker wrote:

When one matches up what has happened in the cricket World Cup this weekend against the rugby World Cup matches this weekend, the cricket was decidedly boring...about 6-7 poorly wasted hours for the cricket as compared to 2 hours of absolute thrills and heart-stopping moments and leaving it all out on the field for the rugby...

Couldn't agree more. Probably start watching when it's semi-finals time. This is not cricket.

At the odds, both Argentina and England to win is worth a small punt on the double.

On papers it’s an AB v Boks final but that’s not how it works as both Argentinia and England are on their day very capable of beating both. Can’t see it especially the AB semi who are starting to look like them old self. Yesterday took a lot out of both England and SA as those Fiji boys did not take a single step back and neither did the French The Etsebeth yellow card work in SA favour as he had a 25 minute break b4 coming back on to score the winning try.

Semis won’t be half as good as all of those quarter finals but if they are then it will still be a great weekend of rugby. If either the AB or the Boks or both reach the final then both sides have a chance to win an unprecedented 4th World Cup title.

SA are ranked 1st again with the ABs 2nd and France 3rd Ireland have gone from 1st to 4th

The SA v England game will be determined by the better disciplined side. At this stage of the tournament it's all about score-board pressure, not about playing pretty footie. A try is an added bonus, but build a lead on penalties.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Pollard start, he appears to have a better distance kicking range. England's Owen Farrell is a very decent kicker.

Handicap at HW is 13.5, five penalties in essence, provided the opposition don't score. Decisions, decisions.

Boks by at least 15
NZ by at least 20
Thank goodness they are going to use more up to date seedlings in future so hopefully we won’t again have the quarters as the real semis.
Looking forward to a cracking final between the old foes.

Agree 100 💯 % Peter

I did forecast this situation as many others and glad that the structure will change in the future.

So Ben O’Keeffe who reffed the France v SA match also gets the semi final between England and SA. How can that be as he is a Kiwi, plus he will know who is already in the final. The AB if the win would prefer to play England

It just does not sit right

"Ireland and France Rugby can still make it to the Rugby World Cup Finals, They Just have to buy the tickets " - Rassie Erasmus 😂

Most SA rugby supporters are giving Rassie and Jacques all the credit but don't forget that poor dietician who took one for the country to get rid off Elton Jantjies