It all comes down to this

So, the stage is set for the last games of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. After 7 weeks and 46 matches of top-flight rugby, with 20 teams from all over the world competing for silverware, respectability or both, the two finalists will clash on Saturday, October 28 at the Stade de France in Paris.

But first, the two losing semi-finalists, England and Argentina will play for the bronze medal in a repeat of a Pool stage match that opened each team’s account back in early September. Argentina, who lost comprehensively to the resurgent All Blacks take on an England side that was burdened by low expectations but which ran the Springboks very, very close in last weekend’s Semi-Final. Argentina have maintained their elite ranking with their performance in this World Cup, reaching the semi-finals for the third time in their history (3rd in 2007 and 4th in 2015). England have never been 3rd in the competition having been losing finalists 3 times (1991, 2007, 2019), 4th in 1995, and Champions in 2003. England in particular have much to play for; the relatively dismal performance in the last two Six Nations competitions seems to be receding in the rear-view mirror with this World Cup performance and the team will want to finish the 2023 international season on a high note, laying down a marker to the home nations about next year’s competition.

The Final, between New Zealand’s All Blacks and South Africa’s Springboks features two of the world’s pre-eminent sides, in a rivalry that dates back over 100 years. In World Cup history they have faced each 5 times before this final with New Zealand having a slight 3-2 edge. South Africa won their only appearance in a Final, winning 15-12 at home in 1995. The Springboks won once more in Wales (1999) while New Zealand won the last 3 World Cup encounters in 2003 (Australia), 2015 (London) and 2019 (Japan). Of course, there are a host of other match results from the annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship (formerly Tri-Nations) with New Zealand having won 62, South Africa 39 and four draws.

However, that record means little in a World Cup Final with the added spice of South Africa playing as defending Champions (beating England in Tokyo in 2019) and both teams playing for the title of most World Cup trophies - they are tied at 3 each.

Viewers in America will be able to see the Final on CNBC at 3:00 PM Eastern, 12 Noon Pacific on Saturday, October 28 and all of the 48 matches can be seen on NBC’s Peacock streaming service (for a fee).