Netherlands vs South Africa prediction, odds, betting tips, best bets for 2023 Women's World Cup Round of 16

The Sporting News
 
Netherlands vs South Africa prediction, odds, betting tips, best bets for 2023 Women's World Cup Round of 16

As a prize for beating the United States to the top spot of Group E, the Netherlands were gifted a Round of 16 matchup with 2023 Women's World Cup darlings South Africa to begin knockout-stage play.

The Dutch attack did just enough against Portugal and the United States before unleashing a furious goalscoring display upon Vietnam to snatch the coveted group lead.

South Africa, one of the three arms of the historic African triumvirate at this competition that all qualified for the knockout stage, stunned Group G by beating Italy on a 92nd-minute winner to secure the nation's first-ever Round of 16 spot.

Banyana Banyana are no pushovers, managing to push Sweden to the brink and securing a draw with Argentina that required a two-goal comeback from the South American side.

Netherlands vs South Africa match facts

  • Date: Sunday, August 6
  • Kickoff Time: 10 p.m. ET (Sat, Aug. 5) / 3 a.m. BST / 12 p.m. AEST
  • Location: Allianz Stadium (Sydney, Australia)
  • Official: Yoshimi Yamashita (JPN)
  • Last meeting: Netherlands 5-1 South Africa (Friendly match, April 2022)

Netherlands vs South Africa prediction, odds

  • Moneyline lean: Netherlands (-400)
  • Score prediction: Netherlands 2-1 South Africa

South Africa are worthy opponents, proving that in the group stage. They scored on Sweden, pushing the top-five European nation to the brink and only falling on a 90th-minute winner, and they picked up points against Italy and Argentina as well.

It will be a difficult match for the Netherlands, as teams with everything to gain and nothing to lose are often a tough proposition, but the Europeans have managed to handle all tests thus far and will be up to the task again.

Netherlands vs South Africa: best bet

  • Pick: Both teams to score — YES
  • Odds: -125 (BetMGM)

The Dutch conceded just one goal through the group stage and did extremely well to limit opposition chances.

Yet this South Africa team doesn't need many opportunities — they need just one. Across the three group-stage matches, South Africa generated seven "big chances" on 35 total shots, and converted five of them into goals. Finishing is a huge part of the game, and they have come to the table in that regard.

Netherlands vs South Africa prop bet

  • Pick: Half with most goals — 2H
  • Odds: -120 (BetMGM)

Both these teams have shown a propensity to unleash the attack after the break, no matter how tight or open the game ends up being on the scoresheet.

Of the 12 goals scored by South Africa and their opponents through the group stage, only two came before the halftime break. Conversely, the Dutch got both their goals against quality opposition in the first half, but conceded to the U.S. after halftime, and managed to score three on Vietnam after halftime with the game already a blowout.

South Africa have been involved in late drama on both ends so far, and in a game that could be a tight and tense affair, it could come down to the final minutes again.

Netherlands vs South Africa live stream, TV channel

Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women's World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand.