The quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup are fast approaching, and the excitement is at an all-time high. The best teams in the world will face off in matches that promise to be full of suspense and emotion.
In the first quarter-final, South Africa, second in the world rankings, will face France, the host nation. It will be a highly anticipated match, with the Springboks looking to defend their title and France looking to surprise their home crowd.
The second quarter-final will feature Ireland, currently first in the world rankings, against fourth-placed New Zealand. It will be a duel between two teams at the top of their form, who will fight for a place in the semi-finals.
In the other two quarter-finals, sixth-ranked England will face eighth-ranked Fiji, while ninth-ranked Argentina will face seventh-ranked Wales. These matches will offer confrontations between teams of similar levels, where anything can happen.
These quarter-finals highlight the problem of the competition’s early draw. As shown by the evolution of world rankings over time, teams can experience ups and downs, which can distort the sporting balance of matches. World Rugby has also announced its intention to review the draw system for future editions.
Either way, the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup 2023 promise exciting encounters, with teams determined to give their all on the pitch. Rugby fans around the world can’t wait to experience these intense moments and find out which teams will qualify for the semi-finals. See you this weekend for matches that promise to be memorable!