We’ve made a guess as to which team will face South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, which will be held in Paris on Saturday.

The All Blacks, who defeated Argentina in the semifinals, have made just one alteration to their starting lineup as they attempt to become the first team to win four championships.

Predicted All Blacks team to face Springboks

15 Beauden Barrett: Has been superb throughout the entire Rugby World Cup, injecting his speed and line-breaking prowess on opposing defenses while helping to create an additional playmaking threat. Not only has Barrett thrived offensively; he has also been strong defensively and in the air. Barrett is a key player.

14 Will Jordan: Speaking of entering the championship match in top form, Jordan was outstanding on Friday, scoring three goals against Los Pumas. The All Blacks will be hoping he can maintain his scoring form against a nation that has never given up a try in a World Cup final. The third try was the finest of the bunch.

Rieko Ioane, number 13, had a somewhat quiet performance in the semi-final, but it’s unlikely that New Zealand would make any changes to the midfield that has lately been stable. Ioane will add his normal prickly edge to the proceedings and be keen to use his deadly wings to gain the upper hand on Jesse Kriel, who is his opponent.

12 Jordie Barrett: One of the team’s best players, Barrett has made a significant recovery from injury, and his performance is so dependent on him. While his booming boot relieves so much of the load off his fly-half, his gainline danger is diversified. He is a great distributor as well, which might be problematic for the Boks.

11 Mark Telea: Excellent in the semifinal after making a dramatic comeback from an internal suspension. Expect more of the same from Telea against South Africa after he often gave the Pumas forwards problems at the breakdown with his attacks close to the ruck. He’s a crucial attacking weapon because he’s so difficult to bring to the ground.

10 Richie Mo’unga: Another player who will remain in the lineup but is aware that in order for New Zealand to win a fourth World Cup championship, he must better his 50% kicking percentage from the semi-final. While Mo’unga can quickly dismantle opponents, he must also follow Owen Farrell’s example by using his boot to apply pressure.

9 Aaron Smith: Faf de Klerk has been a huge thorn in his side recently, as the South African constantly messes with his and the All Blacks’ game. Smith will likely be trying for whatever small advantage he can discover before this Paris finals in an effort to avoid a similar narrative on Saturday.

 

8 Ardie Savea: It’s amazing how consistently he puts on shows with getting little rest. The relentless back-row has another whole game ahead of him as he attempts to defeat Duane Vermeulen and his replacement shortly after the half. It is impossible to minimize Savea’s significance to the side.

7 Sam Cane, who has performed the straightforward tasks incredibly well in the knockout stages, has reached his best at just the perfect time for New Zealand. The All Blacks have Savea and Shannon Frizell for entertainment; Cane’s role is to tackle, ruck, and do the grunt work, which he excels at doing.

6 Shannon Frizell: This team suffers when Frizell is not present. A superb blindside flanker, who contributes greatly both on the field and in set pieces. He has quickly risen to the top of head coach Ian Foster’s team sheet because he so frequently powers over the gainline despite a standing start.

5 Scott Barrett: Foster has been able to rotate his more senior locks thanks to Barrett’s caliber and consistency, which cannot be overstated in the way it has given them time to rest and be ready to go when needed. The 29-year-old Crusader, who is a must-pick, is currently at the height of his abilities.

4 Brodie Retallick: Retallick, who played on the bench in the semi-final, is likely to replace Whitelock in the second row in the only change we anticipate to see in the New Zealand starting XV. Whitelock won’t be able to contribute all of his experience until late, thus Retallick’s stronger agility and steel will be required from the start.

3 Tyrel Lomax: Like Frizell, Lomax’s elevated status within this All Blacks squad has contributed to their improved results. That semi-final performance was the best indication yet for All Blacks fans that Lomax has fully recovered despite the tighthead’s struggles with his comeback from a horrific cut to his knee.

Codie Taylor, the All Blacks’ top hooker, will pack down in the center of an unaltered front row. Taylor is a crucial component of the pack. While a strong set-piece will undoubtedly be a goal, he will also add pace and an impressive skill set in an effort to defeat Bongi Mbonambi personally.

Ethan de Groot is similar to Lomax in that he has swiftly established himself as a key member of this group and has significantly improved a position where New Zealand was rather lacking, the prop. He doesn’t simply offer stability in the scrum; the Highlanders loosehead is also a strong and mobile carrier all over the field.

Replacements:

The temptation to select Samisoni Taukei’aho over Dane Coles may be strong, but the Boks will benefit from Taukei’aho’s gainline danger and brute force.

17 A Rugby World Cup victory to go along with his Super Rugby Pacific crown would crown an incredible season for Tamaiti Williams, who appears to be at home at this level.

18 Fletcher Newell: Another up-and-coming youngster, Newell has secured the backup tighthead position ahead of more seasoned forwards.

19 Sam Whitelock, the All Black with the most appearances, is back on the bench this week as he prepares to try and win a second Rugby World Cup trophy.

20 Dalton Papali’i: Due to Cane’s significantly improved form, Papali’i has recently had to make do with a bench berth. However, his fresh legs later on could be crucial on Saturday.

21 Finlay Christie: The risky Cam Roigard was a close second, but Christie’s bench appearance last week and vast experience should get him the nod.

22 Damian McKenzie: Earlier in the competition, we advocated for his frequent participation in matchday 23s. What a danger to have on the sidelines.

Anton Lienert-Brown, number 23, is an underestimated player who never disappoints his coach. Late in the game, Lienert-Brown will easily transition to the middle.