South Africa vs Romania prediction and odds: Rugby World Cup 2023

And just like that, the second weekend of the Rugby World Cup 2023 is here already. With many teams playing their second matches, we’re starting to get an idea of how this tournament is shaping up–and one of its form teams is on show this Sunday, with the Springboks taking on Romanian. Read on for our South Africa vs Romania predictions.

South Africa vs Romania – match predictions

South Africa will be looking for a huge win here, to improve their points differential in case things get tight at any stage in Pool B. Can they execute it? Here are our top predictions ahead of the South Africa vs Romania this weekend:

Prediction 1: Romania +63 handicap @ 11/10 (2.10)

Let’s be clear: South Africa are winning this match. It’s just a question of by how much, and we say it will be a little bit less than the bookies are predicting. The Springboks have rolled out an entirely new starting 15 against Romania from the one which defeated Scotland, meaning that there will be plenty of combinations that aren’t necessarily gelling quite as well as one would expect at this stage of the tournament.  

Add to this the fact that Romania’s biggest strengths are the set piece and tight, physical stuff, and there’s a chance that while South Africa will still dominate across the board, they could well get drawn into a lower scoring than expected affair.

Prediction 2: South Africa to win by 51-60 @ 4/1 (5.00)

Still, there will be plenty of points overall for South Africa. While Romania may squeeze out a tight quarter here and there to stem the bleeding, ultimately we say the Springboks will run in just short of the bookies’ handicap, and put 51-60 points on the tier two opponents.

South Africa vs Romania preview: Can Romania handle the weight of expectation?

Heading into this match, here’s a look at how both teams’ tournaments have gone so far at the Rugby World Cup 2023:

South Africa

The Springboks will be pleased with their World Cup so far, putting away a spirited challenge from the Scottish 18-3 last weekend and avoiding any kind of a banana skin. South Africa continue to be an enormous physical threat, building on the momentum they grabbed by soundly defeating the All Blacks in late August at Twickenham. Here, they’ll be looking to minimise injuries, and maximise points differential against Romania.

Romania

It’s been a tough start to the tournament for Romania, with the tier two nation getting thumped by Ireland in their opening match 82-8. Admittedly, the men in green did roll out a near full strength team, but nonetheless, it’s in trend with Romania’s year so far. To date, the side have lost 57-7 to Italy, 56-6 to Georgia, and 31-17 to USA, who didn’t even qualify for the Rugby World Cup. To provide any kind of resistance against South Africa, Romania will need to turn things around big time in Bordeaux.

South Africa vs Romania head to head

These two sides have met only once before, way back in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. That clash panned out as a tight victory to South Africa, with the Springboks defeating Romania 21-8.

• Date and time: Sunday 17 September, 2:00 PM GMT
• Venue:Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux, France
• How to watch: ITV, ITVX or SC4 in the UK