Rugby World Cup final betting preview and tips – Can England Justify the Odds?
Updated: 18/11/2024
Rugby World Cup final betting preview and tips with odds from SportNation.bet
Eddie Jones may have said this week that they don't look at the bookies after their outstanding semi-final win against New Zealand – but he surely can't have resisted a cheeky peek at the odds which see his side as clear odds-on favourites to win a first Webb Ellis Cup since 2003.
The England coach masterminded one of the most complete showings in the country's rugby history to dismantle the reigning back to back champs last weekend – meanwhile the Springboks were underwhelming in their 19-16 win
over Wales in the other semi.
England seem to be peaking at just the right time, and if they can reproduce that performance South Africa will have to go some to deny them. That is why bookie SportNation.bet puts the Red Rose odds on at 7/15 in the outright winner markets, with their opponents at 37/20.
SportNation's traders report their customers' love for England has increased markedly following their spectacular All Blacks effort. But another market worth noting is total points – both semi's went under the points total, so punters have also taken a liking to the under, which now stands at 36.5 points (10/11).
The caginess of the affair is perhaps evidenced by odds of 5/9 for their to be under 3.5 tries in the game (5/4 for their to be over 3/5). After Manu Tuilagi set England off on the front foot with a try inside two minutes, it is 16/1 for them to repeat that feat in the final.
Another telling market in England's favour is that of the five most likely first try scorers, the top three all play for the Red Rose: Jonny May (8/1), Manu Tuilagi (10/1) and Anthony Watson (10/1), with Springboks Cheslin Kolbe priced 11/1 and Makazole Mapimpi at 12/1.
An interesting area for punters is drop goals. While there hasn't been one in England vs South Africa the last four times they have met, in the past eight World Cup finals there have been six drop goals – it is definitely a tactic on everyone’s mind when the game boils down to the final stages. A successful drop goal in the match is 2/1, while a Jonny Wilkinson-style successful drop goal in extra time is 33/1.
Owen Farrell looks to have shaken off that knock which prevented him from kicking in the semi-final – and he is 6/1 favourite to be man of the match, marginally ahead of the impressive Maro Itoje at 7/1. Farrell (7/4) is battling with South Africa's powerful fly half Handre Pollard (6/4) to be the tournament's top points scorer.
England vs South Africa – key betting odds markets from SportNation.bet
Winner
England: *4/9*
South Africa: *17/10*
Handicap
England -5.5:* 9/10*
South Africa +5.5: *9/10 *
Total Points
*Over 36.5: *5/6*
Under 36.5: *10/11*
Total Team Points
England over 20.5: *10/11*
England under 20.5: *10/13*
South Africa over 14.5: *20/23*
South Africa under 14.5: *10/13*
Extra Time
The match to go into extra time: *18/1*
Tries
Over 3.5: *5/4*
Under 3.5: *5/9*
There to not be a try in the whole game:* 8/1*
England to score a try inside the first two minutes: *16/1*
First Tryscorer
Jonny May: *8/1*
Manu Tuilagi: *10/1*
Anthony Watson: *10/1*
Cheslin Kolbe: *11/1*
Makazole Mapimpi: *12/1*
Drop goals
A successful drop goal in the match: *2/1*
A successful drop goal in extra time: *33/1*
Discipline
There to be a red card in the game:* 6/1*
There to be a sin bin in the game: *4/6*
Man of the Match
Owen Farrell:* 6/1*
Maro Itoje: *7/1*
Sam Underhill: *10/1*
Faf de Klerk: *11/1*
Handre Pollard: *11/1*
Top Tournament points scorer
Handre Pollard:* 6/4*
Owen Farrell: *7/4*
Relevant news
2019 Rugby World Cup Betting – New Zealand favourites for hat-trick of World Cup wins
New Zealand are unsurprisingly current favourites for a hat-trick of World Cup wins in the…
Extended Highlights: Wales v Italy | NatWest 6 Nations
Watch the extended highlights as Wales hosted Italy at Principality Stadium in the final match…
England and Ireland fans after Ireland’s Grand Slam on Super Saturday!! | NatWest 6 Nations
Watch England and Ireland fans on their day at Twickenham at the final match of…
Short Highlights: Wales v Italy | NatWest 6 Nations
Take a look at the short highlights as Wales played Italy in the final match…
French Rugby 1980’s to Present
A look back at some French Tries from the 1980's, 90's and the new millennium.…
Extended Highlights: Scotland v France | NatWest 6 Nations
Take a look at the extended highlights from the final match of Round Two as…
Login
Register