Phaka Show host and isiXhosa commentator, Kaunda Ntunja, gives us his predictions for the upcoming quarter-final matches in the Rugby World Cup. These games take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October 2019. Get your bets on now with Hollywoodbets.
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England vs Australia
Saturday 19th October 2019
09:15 Kick-Off
This is a brilliant fixture to start off the knockout stages. The Wallabies haven’t beaten England since the 2015 9World Cup where their performance led to England getting knockout out in the group stages.
Since 2015, England appointed Eddie Jones who resurrected English rugby. Eddie Jones’ England outfit toured Australia in 2016 and beat them there 3 tests to 0. They then followed that up by beating them countless times at Twickenham. So whichever way you want to look at this, Eddie Jones has Michael Cheika’s number.
Eddie Jones as the coach of England has never lost to the Wallabies. The momentum that England have going into this one will be too much for the Wallabies.
Phaka Prediction:
England to win by 10 points.
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New Zealand vs Ireland
Saturday 19th October 2019
12:15 Kick-Off
Rugby fans all over the world have been blessed with some of the most mouth watering fixtures we’ve ever had at a quarterfinal stage of the World Cup and this match is most certainly one of them.
Ireland have won 2 out of the last three matches against the Mighty All Blacks and that is an achievement that no other team in the world can boast about. Joe Schmidt’s side however, did lose to Japan in the group stages while the All Blacks swept away all teams that stood in their path including the Springboks.
I truly believe that Ireland peaked too early in their lead up to this tournament and the All Blacks will be up against a team on a downward curve. Bundee Aki’s suspension also means that Ireland will be missing a bruising ball carrier in their midfield. This one will only go one way.
Phaka Prediction:
New Zealand to win by 15 points.
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Wales vs France
Sunday 20th October 2019
09:15 Kick-Off
If there is to be an upset this weekend then this is the fixture to watch. France are an unknown factor in this World Cup in that they have been blowing hot and cold while notching up victories. They somehow found a way to beat Argentina and then their match vs England was cancelled. That is the match where we would’ve had better analysis of how prepared or ill-prepared this team is.
Wales had a hard fought victory over a poor Wallaby side and then had to dig deep to overcome Fiji. Many see Wales as the dark horses to win this tournament but what I saw in the group stages has not convinced me at all.
Their last three head to head fixtures are as follows, in 2019 Wales won 24-19 after France led 16-0 at halftime in Paris. In 2018 Wales won 14-13 in Cardiff. In 2017 France won 20-18 in Paris. I am going to kiss my lucky coin and go for an upset here.
Phaka Prediction:
France to win by 3 points.
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Japan vs South Africa
Sunday 20th October 2019
12:15 Kick-Off
The loss in Brighton in 2015 is the main reason why I am convinced that the Boks will win this one. Siya Kolisi who will captain the Springbok side on Sunday was a part of what was seen as one of the biggest upsets in sport.
The Japanese will play their hearts out in front of a very noisy crowd but emotions and crowd support will not be enough to beat Rassie’s men.
The Boks will definitely not underestimate their opponents but they will come to the party with physicality and brute force while Japan will try and run everything for the full 80 minutes. The low risk approach of the Boks will work for them in this knockout match.
Phaka Prediction:
South Africa to win by 12 points.
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