SEMI FINAL: ARGENTINA V NEW ZEALAND, STADE DE FRANCE, PARIS, SATURDAY, 6.00AM
All looked bleak for the All Blacks following their World Cup opening loss to France but a stunning win over Ireland in the Quarter Finals has seen New Zealand advance to the semis for the ninth time in 10 World Cups. Remarkably the All Blacks have just a 4-4 record in World Cup semi finals and did lose at the 2019 World Cup to England as notable favourites.
This is the third World Cup semi final for Argentina. They have lost both – losing 37-13 to South Africa in 2007 and 29-15 to Australia in 2015. Unsurprisingly, New Zealand are heavily favoured with a dominant record against Argentina that has seen them lose just twice in 36 Tests. Those two Argentine wins have come in the last four years but the All Blacks have typically been comfortable winners with their last five wins being by at least 23 points.
All three of their World Cup wins have been by double digits. The Pumas have overachieved at this World Cup while the All Blacks are warming as they do so often. New Zealand should win this and win it well.
Betting Strategy
New Zealand -17.5 @ $1.60 or Better 
SEMI FINAL: ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA, STADE DE FRANCE, PARIS, SUNDAY, 6.00AM
The second semi certainly projects to be a lot closer than the first with two traditional World Cup powerhouses squaring off. South Africa are heavily favoured but did not get through their group stage unscathed, going down to Ireland. They held on grimly to down hosts France in a remarkable quarter final.
England swept through their pool in style but only won 30-24 on the back of the boot of Owen Farrell. The Springboks have made the semis in five of their seven World Cups to date with three wins. They have never lost to a Northern Hemisphere team in the semi – and have never been eliminated at a World Cup by a Northern Hemisphere outfit.
England have been remarkably reliable at this stage of the World Cup with four wins from their five semis, their only semi loss coming back in 1995. The Springboks are the better team but given this is likely to be a defensive stoush, England with the big start is the bet. England have won three of the last five Tests between the two with the Springboks having just a single win of more than 14 points since 2008.
Betting Strategy
England +13.5 @ $1.65 or Better
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