The following is a preview with betting tips for the 2015 Rugby World Cup semi-final clash between South Africa and New Zealand. More details, including team sheets, will be added as they become available.
Note that the majority of this content is sourced from the 2015 Rugby World Cup Form Guides, Previews & Tips page.
South Africa vs. New Zealand
Stage: Semi-final
Twickenham Stadium, London
October 25, 2015
Kick-off at 2:00 AM
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Weather forecast: overcast
South Africa squad: 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Lodewyk de Jager, 6. Francois Louw, 7. Schalk Burger , 8. Duane Vermeulen, 9. Fourie du Preez (captain), 10. Handré Pollard, 11. Bryan Habana, 12. Damian De Allende, 13. Jesse Kriel, 14. JP Pietersen, 15. Willie le Roux. Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Trevor Nyakane, 18. Jannie du Plessis, 19. Victor Matfield, 20. Willem Alberts, 21. Ruan Pienaar, 22. Pat Lambie, 23. Jan Serfontein
New Zealand squad: 1. Joe Moody, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 15. Ben Smith. Replacements: 16. Keven Mealamu, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Sam Cane, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Beauden Barrett, 23. Sonny Bill Williams
Preview: After sub-par performances in the pool stage, New Zealand showed just what they’re capable of by thrashing the out of sort French 62-13 in the quarter-final. The nine try to one result has seen the futures odds on New Zealand fall from 2.10 to 1.55, however that drop looks to be a bit of an over-reaction given the All Blacks will have to get through a bruising encounter against the Springboks in the semi-finals while the Wallabies will likely have David Pocock and Israel Folou back should they make the final.
The Springboks have had a poor season by their standards, but after losing their opening Pool fixture to Japan they’ve been solid and enter this fixture with a 2 wins from 3 World Cup record against the All Blacks. They did appear to take a backward step against Wales, however, reverting to more of a physical brand of rugby. This keeping things tight and playing physical approach probably won’t be good enough against the All Blacks should New Zealand play at the same level as they did against France.
Looking at the form guide, the All Blacks have won six of their last seven against the Springboks, however the last three meetings between were all settled by seven points or less.
On the injury front, All Blacks loose-head prop Wyatt Crockett picked up a groin injury against France and has been replaced by Joe Moody with Ben Franks promoted to the bench. There are no other changes to the 23-man squad.
For the Springboks, Victor Matfield has been added to the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury. Lood de Jager and Bismark du Plessis have overcome knocks from last week and have been named in an unchanged starting XV.
Betting: the last few clashes between these two have been close. I tip the composure off the All Blacks to come through as they win it in a tight affair.
Betting tip: back New Zealand 1-12 at 2.63 (Sportsbet)
| Selection |  |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa New Zealand |
4.20 1.27 |
4.00 1.28 |
3.85 1.27 |
3.88 1.26 |
| South Africa New Zealand |
(+8.5) 1.95 (-8.5) 1.95 |
(+8.5) 1.90 (-8.5) 1.90 |
(+8.5) 1.91 (-8.5) 1.91 |
(+8.5) 1.92 (-8.5) 1.92 |
Form Guide: South Africa
| Date (y-m-d) | Fixture | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-10-18 | South Africa vs. Wales | Win | 23-19 |
| 2015-10-08 | South Africa vs. USA | Win | 64-0 |
| 2015-10-04 | South Africa vs. Scotland | Win | 34-16 |
| 2015-09-27 | South Africa vs. Samoa | Win | 46-6 |
| 2015-09-20 | South Africa vs. Japan | Loss | 32-34 |
| 2015-08-15 | Argentina vs. South Africa | Win | 12-26 |
| 2015-08-08 | South Africa vs. Argentina | Loss | 25-37 |
| 2015-07-25 | South Africa vs. New Zealand | Loss | 20-27 |
Form Guide: New Zealand
| Date (y-m-d) | Fixture | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-10-18 | New Zealand vs. France | Win | 62-13 |
| 2015-10-10 | New Zealand vs. Tonga | Win | 47-9 |
| 2015-10-03 | New Zealand vs. Georgia | Win | 43-10 |
| 2015-09-25 | New Zealand vs. Namibia | Win | 58-14 |
| 2015-09-21 | New Zealand vs. Argentina | Win | 26-16 |
| 2015-08-15 | New Zealand vs. Australia | Win | 41-13 |
| 2015-08-08 | Australia vs. New Zealand | Loss | 27-19 |
| 2015-07-25 | South Africa vs. New Zealand | Win | 20-27 |
H2H Guide: South Africa vs. New Zealand
| Date (y-m-d) | Fixture | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-07-25 | South Africa vs. New Zealand | 20-27 |
| 2014-10-04 | South Africa vs. New Zealand | 27-25 |
| 2014-09-13 | New Zealand vs. South Africa | 14-10 |
| 2013-10-05 | South Africa vs. New Zealand | 27-38 |
| 2013-09-14 | New Zealand vs. South Africa | 29-15 |
| 2012-10-06 | South Africa vs. New Zealand | 16-32 |
| 2012-09-15 | New Zealand vs. South Africa | 21-11 |
| 2011-08-20 | South Africa vs. New Zealand | 18-5 |
Note: only league games are included. The above does not include preseason and cup fixtures.
Value Guides:
| Team | Market | Last 6 | Last 12 | Last 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | H2H | $-0.07 | $-2.88 | $-4.32 |
| New Zealand | H2H | $0.36 | $0.21 | $0.10 |
The above figures represent the net profit from wagering $1.00 on the associated selection each game.