South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 Fixtures, Odds & Squad

The defending champions have their work cut out this year having been dealt a blow by being placed in the group of death. They open up their campaign on 10 September against a Scotland side that have fared well over recent years.

That opening match is followed by a clash against Romania, a match the Springboks should win with ease. Another massive clash follows against world No.1 side, Ireland before closing out the group stage against the physical and unpredictable Tonga.

It is hard to argue that the top two spots will be filled by two of South Africa, Scotland and Ireland. It should be a very interesting battle between those three and definitely the group to watch out for early on.

South Africa go into the 2023 World Cup as defending champions after beating England 32-12 in Tokyo in the 2019 final. While their results have been somewhat inconsistent over the last two years, the Springboks remain a huge threat and one of the top sides in the world.

The defending champs are priced as fifth favourites to win the tournament with bet.co.za with enticing odds of 5.50. 

South Africa have won three Rugby World Cup titles, only matched by New Zealand. However, the Springboks have done it in two less World Cup appearances, having been banned from international sport for the 1987 and 1991 competitions.

The Springboks earliest exits from the tournament has come at the quarter-final stage (twice in 2003 & 2011). Other than 2003, the Springboks have almost always gone into the tournament as one of the favourites for the title.

South Africa have yet to name their Rugby World Cup squad. That should take place much closer to the tournament as they still have a Rugby Championship to play before then.