Simon Zebo Chats Rugby World Cup Predictions With Bobby Skinstad

on September 20, 2023 at 3:56 pm

Simon Zebo teamed up with BoyleSports to preview this weekend’s Rugby World Cup match between Ireland & South Africa alongside Bobby Skinstad.

Here at BoyleSports we are offering a boosted price of 7/4 for both Ireland & South Africa ahead of this massive Pool B clash. Don’t Just bet. Choose wisely.

Zebo, an Ireland and Munster Rugby player, offers unique insights into this matchup having played with many of the current Irish squad, and also under South Africa’s Rassie Erasmus.

The Munster fullback and wing gave us a behind-the-scenes peek into what it’s like playing under South Africa’s Rassie Erasmus. Plus, what makes Johnny Sexton so crucial to Ireland’s chances and his predictions for South Africa v Ireland along with who he’s tipping to win the tournament.

You can watch the full chat between Simon Zebo and Bobby Skinstad below.

Rassie Erasmus “one of the best”

He’s always looking for that extra 1% to get his team over the line. That has to be seen as a positive.

I worked with him at Munster and he was one of the best coaches I ever had in terms of motivating a group and getting the best out of them.

He certainly got the best out of us and we knew the world of rugby was in for a shock when he took over as Springboks coach because we thought what he done with us was amazing in such a short period of time.

But with some of the best players in the world at his disposal we knew it was going to be very impressive and lo and behold it was a World Cup straight away in 2019 when nobody expected it.

Simon Zebo’s South Africa v Ireland Prediction

I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some argy-bargy on the way against South Africa, especially if Peter O’Mahony is on the pitch. I expect a close game, but I think Ireland will sneak it because of their ability to move South Africa around the pitch.

A kick from Johnny from the touchline to win.

Zebo’s Prediction: South Africa 15-18 Ireland

Simon Zebo’s Rugby World Cup Prediction

My head and my heart are telling me two different things, although they’re close.

My heart says Ireland are going to win it. The core of the squad has enough experience to see them through the quarter-final, semi-final, final stage.

My head would say France, I know how good they are and I know how much a home crowd means to them.

I’m going to say Ireland. I think we’ll have enough experience and enough strength in depth.

Johnny Sexton Crucial To Ireland’s World Cup Bid

If we want to win a World Cup, we need Johnny Sexton firing on all cylinders. He’s a huge influence in everything – he demands such high standards of everyone, he’s that coach on the pitch that has such an important say over what happens.

For me personally he [Sexton] was a joy to play with.

Rugby Selection Eligibility Rules

It’s such a short playing window that players have.

You train all your life to be a professional rugby player and you’re being told you can’t go and experience another culture or live somewhere new if you want to play for your country.

It’s putting such a limitation on players and the whole experience of being a rugby player, I’d like to see it change.

Click Below For All Our South Africa v Ireland Odds