France vs South Africa Betting Tips: Predictions & Best Bets

France and South Africa will conclude the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter finals on Sunday night and it's set to be an absolutely titanic tussle at the Stade de France with the winning team set to take on the winner of England and Fiji next weekend. Two of the leading fancies for the tournament, it's set to be an epic clash and it looks a fascinating betting heat for punters to get stuck into.

Our man Steve Chambers previews the last of four quarter finals and picks out his two best bets for the clash in Saint-Denis...

France v South Africa Tips

France to win by 6-10 points

Four wins from four saw France top Pool A and with home advantage it's no surprise to see the French installed as the clear 4/5 favourites with bet365 bookmakers to win in 80 minutes, but reigning champions South Africa will be no easy pushover and the Proteas are a best-priced 13/10 with the same firm and the draw is on offer at 22/1 with BetMGM.

Recent head-to-head records suggest South Africa have the upper hand having won seven of their last eight meetings, but the French did get the win the last time the two teams met, as France ran out 30-26 winners in November. France have been given a huge fitness boost with inspirational scrum half Antoine Dupont returning to the starting XV as he has regained fitness following a facial injury picked up in a win over Namibia a few weeks ago.

Dupont is one of the poster boys of this tournament and is undoubtedly the driving force behind France and everything will go through the diminutive star, and he could well prove to be the difference. There's no doubt the South African pack will look to target Dupont whenever they can and try and unsettle him, but he is a class above at times and he can be the inspirational figure for a home win.

With the odds-on about France winning offering no value then why not step into the winning margin markets and the 11/2 with William Hill for France to win by 6-10 points looks the way to go. South Africa lack a quality kicker - as shown in their defeat to Ireland - and that could see them just fall behind France during the 80 minutes and in front of their home supporters the French can prevail as impressive winners.

Damian Penaud First Tryscorer

All eyes will be on the aforementioned Dupont who will be pulling the strings for the French, but the wing wizard Damian Penaud will be eager to pull further clear at the top tryscorer standings for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The prolific winger has already scored six tries during the tournament and will be one of the key attacking threats for France, but the bookmakers are certainly dangling a carrot for punters with BoyleSports offering 8/1 for him to score the first try of the match.

Crossfield kicks have certainly been a key part of the French attacking armoury and Penaud will keep his width during the attacking phases and at the right time the French could look to kick wide. His ability to catch the ball in the air is second to none in the world game and his finishing ability is absolutely sensational. With South Africa likely to have the power to restrict France down the middle, the French will need to throw the ball about and Penaud is the last line of attack out wide he could be the beneficiary and score the first try.

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