Who Will be the Key Players in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final?
by Steve Ashfield | by Steve Ashfield
Who Will Be The Key Players in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final?
Saturday 28 October will see history created regardless of who wins the Rugby World Cup final. Both South Africa and New Zealand have lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy on a record three occasions. Just who will become the first side in the history of the competition to win the Rugby World Cup four times?
If it's South Africa, then they will also join New Zealand as the only country to win the Rugby World Cup and then successfully defend it four years later. Both the Springboks and the All-Blacks have players who have been in tremendous form during this tournament. Just who are the ones that might help their teams to Rugby World Cup glory on Saturday?
Jordan in Top Form for All-Blacks
New Zealand may have lost their first game in this 2023 Rugby World Cup but they've been unstoppable ever since. Their campaign began with defeat to host nation France but history is on their side to go on and become world champions. You see, South Africa did that in 2019 (beaten by New Zealand) but then went on to lift the trophy.
Since that opening defeat, it's been one big win after another for the All-Blacks. Will Jordan (above) has been in sensational form for New Zealand. He comes into this final having scored eight tries in this 2023 Rugby World Cup. That total is two more than any other player has managed to score in this tournament.
Jordan was the winner of the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Award two years ago. He's certainly built on that award and looks likely to be the top try scorer in this year's tournament. He's now scored 155 points for the All-Blacks and in the pool stages, scored two tries in both of the matches against Italy and Uruguay. Betfair give odds of 3.2 that the first scoring play in this final will be a New Zealand try and 4.00 one for South Africa.
Another try was scored in the quarter final win over Ireland. He then hit top form with a hat-trick of tries against Argentina in their convincing 44-6 semi-final win over the Pumas. Remember you can follow the final on our 2023 Rugby World Cup Sportytrader Livescore page.
More Success for Reinach?
Cobus Reinach will be hoping that Saturday sees him repeat his pool stage performance against Romania. In the space of just 21 minutes the Springboks international scored a hat-trick of tries. Anything like that form could see his team retain the Rugby World Cup this weekend.
It took him only five minutes to get on the scoresheet against Tonga and South Africa will again be looking to get off to a good start in Saturday's final. Getting an early lead could be absolutely vital to their hopes of retaining the Rugby World Cup.
McKenzie Enjoying World Cup Debut
Damian McKenzie has had an excellent Rugby World Cup. Just one more impressive performance could see the All-Blacks become the first country to lift the trophy four times.
McKenzie has scored five tries so far in this tournament. The 28-year-old is just glad to be playing in this Rugby World Cup. An ACL problem ruled him out of the 2019 tournament but he's certainly made an impact in France this year.
He scored two tries against Namibia, another against Italy and a couple more in their game against Uruguay, winning him the man-of-the-match award. He's also scored 14 conversions in this tournament. New Zealand are 1.8 at William Hill to win the Rugby World Cup. You can find all the latest 2023 Rugby World Cup betting odds on Sportytrader
Look Out for Libbok
It's just possible that this Rugby World Cup Final could be decided by the boot of Immanuel Libbok. The South African has been in fine form scoring plenty of penalties and conversions. That's been vital for the Springboks as they have had two narrow wins in the knockout stages.
Libbok scored two conversions when South Africa broke the hearts of hosts France with a 29-28 quarter final triumph. There was another single-point winning margin in the last four as the Springboks defeated England 16-15 with Libbok scoring a 21st minute penalty. If he can continue his good form in the final, then that will greatly help his side. At bet365, South Africa are 2.2 to win the match in 80 minutes. Read our experts prediction on the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final.
Check out the Rugby World Cup info
Key Rugby World Cup Statistics
- Only New Zealand in 2011 and 2015 have won two consecutive Rugby World Cups.
- South Africa and New Zealand have both conceded 77 points in the tournament.
- New Zealand have scored 129 more points than their opponents.
- New Zealand have won two of their last three matches against South Africa.
- The last match between the two sides was a World Cup warm-up game played at Twickenham in August with South Africa winning 35-7.
- South Africa beat New Zealand in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.
- New Zealand have won their last three Rugby World Cup games against South Africa.
