Steve Starr
- South Africa is a 2.5-point favorite over Ireland in Saturday’s Pool B matchup
- Australia must now defeat Wales on Sunday to avoid elimination at the group stages for the first time
- The 2023 Rugby World Cup is taking place in France from September 8 to October 28
South Africa and Ireland are both 2-0 heading into Saturday’s clash in Stade de France. A victory for either club would lock up first place in Pool B. Meanwhile, Australia is facing a do-or-die battle with Wales on Sunday following their surprising loss to Fiji.
Before we examine the odds for these matchups and more, here’s where you can find the best Rugby World Cup Betting Odds and check out the top Rugby Betting Sites in 2023.
South Africa vs Ireland
 | Spread | Win | Draw |
| South Africa | -2.5 (-110) | -136 | +2000 |
| Ireland | +2.5 (-110) | +122 | +2000 |
Irish to defeat the Springboks?
South Africa is a 2.5-point favorite over Ireland on Saturday. While the two nations have never gone head-to-head in the Rugby World Cup before, the Irish defeated the Springboks 19-16 in a Test back in May 2022. Ireland won their first two matches against Romania and Tonga by a combined 117 points. Better yet, all their key players got through unscathed.
The reigning champions are coming off a 76-0 victory over a Romania, which followed a 18-3 win over Scotland. However, they will be missing fly-back Handre Pollard with a calf injury. Saturday’s main event in Paris will be a tight, gruesome affair, but we like the 2023 Six Nations champions to top the Springboks. Take Ireland to win outright at +122.
🗣️ “I don’t think we can go 8-0, that would be a bit extreme.” #RWC2023
🇿🇦 South Africa could name a 7-1 bench split against Ireland. https://t.co/UVZXbeoQiz
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) September 18, 2023
More Group Play Fixtures
| Spread | Win | Draw |
| France | -64.5 (-110) | -10000 | +10000 |
| Namibia | +64.5 (-110) | +6600 | +10000 |
| Argentina | -14.0 (-110) | -725 | +3000 |
| Samoa | +14.0 (-110) | +500 | +3000 |
| Scotland | -21.5 (-115) | -2000 | +4000 |
| Tonga | +21.5 (-105) | +1000 | +4000 |
| Wales | +1.5 (-120) | +102 | +1800 |
| Australia | -1.5 (+100) | -110 | +1800 |
France vs Namibia
France is 64.5-point chalk on Thursday. After group stage wins over New Zealand and Uruguay, Les Bleus has Pool A all but wrapped up. Therefore, their first priority will be to stay healthy in their remaining games against Namibia and Italy. The French were already in cruise control in a 27-12 victory over Uruguay, not even coming close to covering the 57.5-point spread.
Namibia lost their opening match to Italy by 44 points before suffering a 68-point destruction to the Kiwis last Friday. However, maybe just maybe, they can cover the 64.5 points with France likely playing it a bit safer.
Wales vs Australia
Australia is a slight 1.5-point favorite on Sunday. After a 22-15 upset loss to Fiji, the Wallabies must beat Wales to avoid elimination at the group stages for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Wales currently leads Pool C following victories over Portugal and Fiji. However, the Welsh could still miss out on a fourth-consecutive World Cup quarter-final appearance with a loss.
Fiji, population 900,000, defeated Australia, population 25 million, at the Rugby World Cup in St. Etienne, France, on Sunday. Tiny Pacific islands consistently punch above their weight in the sport.https://t.co/NJM2LmvWsa
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 18, 2023
Best Bet
While they’re just 2-5 versus the Aussies in the World Cup all time, Wales came away with a 29-25 win in Japan in 2019. Given how poorly the Wallabies have played under Eddie Jones of late, we like Wales to score the upset (+102).
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
