Rugby World Cup: Upsets and underdogs

The knock-out stages of the Rugby World Cup kicked off on Saturday 14th of October when Argentina put 29 points past Wales at the Stade de Marseille.

Wales could only muster 2 converted tries and a penalty amounting to 17 points and a great upset for the Dragons who had gone in as heavy favourites over the Pumas.

That wouldn’t be the only surprise as Ireland, the world no. 1 and initial favourites to win the Webb Ellis Cup, were thrillingly knocked out by joint-record holders New Zealand.

The All Blacks proved unstoppable against the Irish Shamrocks who outscored them 24 to 28 in a immensely close clash that included two veritable giants of the sport.

The ever-exuberant underdogs England were next to take to the pitch when they took on Fiji, a side that had miraculously out-qualified Australia’s Wallabies.

6 points separated the sides in what was a flustered and heated contest. 

Last, yet undoubtedly not least were the holders and the hosts. 

France brought reigning-world champions South Africa to the Stade de France in the heart of the storied commune of Saint-Denis, where the record-holding force defended their title in a battle of wits and power. 

Only one point separated the sides at full time as the Springboks scored a converted try and penalty in the closing stages to dramatically end all French hopes of a home victory. 

Semi-final supremacy

The stage is now set with South Africa favourites to retain the coveted title.

Most bookies have the Springboks at 10/11, comfortable ahead of all comers, with QuinnBet even going so far as to offer 17/20 odds. 

As it stands South Africa is also the subject of a majority of the betting behaviour heading out of the quarter-finals.

England are characteristically a drift of true favourites as most bookies have them at 12/1 odds, with Spreadex giving the best odds at 9/1.

Despite this, however, the second most bets have been placed on the Three Lions by a healthy margin.

New Zealand are second favourite with a majority of odds reading 6/5 for the iconic All Blacks.

Notably, PaddyPower, Betfair and Star Sports all have 11/10 on the joint-record winners.

True dark horse Argentina have had their best odds set at 28/1 with a heavy majority offering 33/1 odds on the Pumas.

Entain-owned brands, Coral and Ladbrokes are even offering odds as high as 40/1 which does not bode well for Argentine chances. 

Smarter betting with SiGMA Play

Despite this, it truly is anyone’s game heading into the final two rounds of nail-biting action to come for bettors and non-bettors alike.

Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a new entrant to the betting scene, SiGMA Play consistently ranks and curates a selection of top options to cater to diverse preferences. 

For instance, Pin-Up Bet stands out for its regular promotions and user-friendly Android app offered in multiple languages. 

Circus Sportsbook offers surprise rewards, an attractive loyalty program, and competitive odds. 

Cloudbet boasts a straightforward user interface, ensuring rapid and secure payments, along with a substantial deposit bonus. 

For those seeking a specific experience, Highbet offers a rich array of games, including live dealer options and a unique 0-wager free bet.

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