Call It: Boks to boss Scotland?

Let us know what happens when the first round of the 2023 Rugby World Cup gets underway, highlighted by the Boks locking horns with Scotland.

Following a record victory over the All Blacks as a statement of intent, the defending champions will open their World Cup campaign against Scotland at Stade de Marseille on Sunday.

Scotland closed out their World Cup warm-ups with a healthy 33-6 victory over 11th-ranked Georgia, a team that historically adopts a similar style of play to the Boks, serving as ideal preparation to take on the world champions.

READ: Veteran Boks get last World Cup shot

Despite withstanding relentless Georgian pressure in the first half and dominating at scrum time, can the Scots deal with the much-increased intensity the Boks bring?

Springboks vs Scotland (Sunday, Marseille, 5:45pm)

This poll has ended (since 1 year).

What will be the outcome of the match between the Boks and Scotland?

Boks by 11+
64.69%
Boks by 6-10
27.29%
Boks by 1-5
4.70%
Scotland by 1-5
1.70%
Scotland by 6-10
0.85%
Scotland by 11+
0.46%
Draw
0.31%

Although France are marginal favourites to come out on top in the tournament opener, the All Blacks’ hefty defeat at Twickenham will leave the hosts more cautious than optimistic.

France legend: All Blacks at their ‘weakest’

A side known for bouncing back in grand fashion when hurt, the All Blacks are rugby’s most-feared team when they’re on the backfoot.

France vs All Blacks (Friday, Saint-Dennis, 9:15pm)

This poll has ended (since 1 year).

What will be the outcome of the match between France and the All Blacks?

All Blacks by 1-5
25.52%
All Blacks by 6-10
22.71%
France by 1-5
21.24%
France by 6-10
16.67%
All Blacks 11+
8.41%
France by 11+
4.42%
Draw
1.03%

Michael Cheika and the Pumas will be licking their lips at the prospect of battling a struggling England side on Saturday.

READ: ‘Gutted’ Farrell rues World Cup ban

Currently ranked eighth, England suffered a humiliating, and first-ever, loss to Fiji in their final warmup match, denting Steve Borthwick and his side’s chances of potential World Cup success.

England vs Argentina (Saturday, Marseille, 9pm)

This poll has ended (since 1 year).

What will be the outcome of the match between the England and Argentina?

Argentina by 6-10
40.10%
Argentina by 1-5
38.07%
Argentina by 11+
11.68%
England by 1-5
5.75%
England by 6-10
2.88%
England by 11+
1.18%
Draw
0.34%

Photo: @Springboks/Twitter

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