Round 1 Match Previews & Predictions – 2021 Rugby World Cup

South Africa vs France – Oct 7 8:15 PM CST / Oct 8 2:15 PM NZST

Qualification 

South Africa conquered the 2019 Rugby Africa Cup defeating Madagascar, Uganda and Kenya to qualify. France qualified based on their 3rd place performance at the 2017 Rugby World Cup.

Match Preview

In this Pool C matchup, South Africa enters the tournament in 11th place and faces 4th ranked France. France is the more experienced side with attendance at all of the RWCs and on average places 3rd or 4th overall. The Springboks have only played in three RWCs in 2006, 2010 and 2014.

South Africa’s captain Nolusindiso Booi and Zenay Jordaan have been selected for a third Rugby World Cup along with Tayla Kinsey and Asithandile Ntoyanto who have previous experience from 2014. Gaëlle Hermet will captain France and veterans Safi N’Diaye, Jessy Trémoulière, Marjorie Mayans, and Joanna Grisez.

Match Prediction

France +30

@yscrugby

South Africa vs France - How did they each qualify? Includes our match preview and prediction. #RWC2021

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Fiji vs England – Oct 7 10:45 PM CST / Oct 8 4:45 PM NZST

Qualification

Fiji won the 2019 Oceania Championship and booked their first ever Rugby World Cup appearance. England placed 2nd in the 2017 RWC which automatically qualified them for this tournament.

Match Preview

In the second Pool C matchup of the weekend, Fiji comes in at 21st place while England comes in with the overall 1st ranking. This will be a tall task for the Fijiana but captain Sereima Leweniqila and 15 players that won Australia’s Super W competition are ready for the challenge.

England’s Sarah Hunter will captain the Red Roses along with six players from the winning 2014 RWC squad. England is on a 25 game winning streak and will look to continue it.

Match Prediction

England +45

@yscrugby

Fiji vs England - How did they each qualify? Includes our match preview and prediction. #RWC2021

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Australia vs New Zealand – Oct 8 1:15 AM CST / Oct 8 7:15 PM NZST

Qualification 

Australia qualified after placing 6th place in the 2017 RWC while New Zealand booked their spot after winning the 2017 RWC.

Match Preview

The first match of Pool A sees 7th ranked Australia face the hosts New Zealand who are ranked 2nd overall. These teams most recently contested theLaurie O’Reilly Series which saw the Black Ferns sweep both matches.

Shannon Parry will captain the Wallaroos as they are coming off a historic hat-trick of titles in 7s. Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Simon will co-captain the Black Ferns along with Kendra Cocksedge and Renee Wickliffe who are attending their fourth RWC.

Match Prediction

New Zealand +15

@yscrugby

Australia vs New Zealand - How did they each qualify? Includes our match preview and prediction. #RWC2021

♬ original sound - YSCRugby

USA vs Italy – Oct 8 6:45 PM CST / Oct 9 12:45 PM NZST

Qualification 

USA’s fourth place finish in the 2017 RWC sealed their qualification while Italy worked their way through the 2021 Europe Qualifier beating Spain, Ireland and Scotland along the way.

Match Preview

In the first Pool B matchup of the tournament, 6th place USA will face 5th ranked Italy. Italy is coming into the tournament on a high after  splitting matches with France while the Eagles have faced a tougher run-up with a loss against England and win versus Scotland.

The Eagles are led by captain Kate Zachary who is joined by Hope Rogers in her 4th RWC and 8 other players who participated in the 2017 RWC. Elisa Giordano will captain the squad along with nine other players boasting over 50 caps.

Match Prediction

USA +5

@yscrugby

USA vs Italy - How did they each qualify? Includes our match preview and prediction. #RWC2021

♬ original sound - YSCRugby

Japan vs Canada – Oct 8 9:15 PM CST / Oct 9 3:15 PM NZST

Qualification 

Japan automatically qualified as the highest ranked team in the region after matches couldn’t be played due to the global pandemic while Canada’s 6th place at the 2017 RWC booked their spot.

Match Preview

In the second Pool B match, Japan enters as the 13th ranked team while Canada comes in 3rd overall. After not playing for a long period due to the pandemic, Japan has had a long run up to the RWC with 8 matches with 4 wins. Canada has steadily moved up in the World Rugby Rankings with a stellar performance in the Pacific Four Series.

Saki Minami captains the Sakura and returns with 8 players who were on the 2017 RWC. Canada’s Sophie de Goede will captain her side and is attending her first RWC along with Olivia DeMerchant and Tyson Beukeboom who are in line to win their 50th cap for their country.

Match Prediction

Canada +20

@yscrugby

Japan vs Canada - our preview, prediction and how they qualified. #RWC2021

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Wales vs Scotland – Oct 8 11:45 PM CST / Oct 9 5:45 PM NZST

Qualification

Wales automatically qualified based off their 7th place finish at the 2017 RWC. Scotland had a bit of a longer road placing 2nd in the 2021 Europe Qualifier which placed them in the Final Qualification Tournament where they defeated Colombia to qualify. Scotland joins the RWC after a 12 year dry spell.

Match Preview

The last Pool A matchup of the opening weekend sees 9th ranked Wales take on 10th ranked Scotland. Wales went semi-professional early this year and Scotland has announced that they will have contracts for players after the tournament.

Siwan Lillicrap will captain the Welsh side along with Sioned Harries, Elinor Snowsill and Caryl Thomas who are playing in their 4th RWC. Rachel Malcolm will captain Scotland and Emma Wassell will look for her 58th cap.

Match Prediction

Wales +10

@yscrugby

Wales vs Scotland - our preview, prediction and how they qualified. #RWC2021

♬ original sound - YSCRugby