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The second Rugby World Cup 2007 Semi-Final, between South Africa and Argentina takes place tomorrow evening in St Denis, France, to decide who will face England, who beat the hosts 14-9.

Kick-off Time

The match kicks off at 21:00 CET (8pm UK time, or 5am Eastern Australia time), and is in the Stade de France, St Denis, France.

Preview

The South Africans look the class act of this tournament, and have been preparing for this year’s Rugby World Cup as long as any team. In fact, they did not compete in this year’s Tri Nations series as effectively as they could in anticipation of the RWC (months away!).

Argentina, conversely, have nothing to prove. They have long shaken off the tag of underdogs, however, as they opened the show with a monumental defeat of their French hosts, and performed admirably against Scotland in their Quarter Final.

Both teams are, in this years RWC, as yet undefeated. That, for certain, will change tomorrow.

Predictions 

I’d expect the Springboks to prove too strong for the Gallant Pumas. That is, South Africa have very few weaknesses in their 22 man squad, where Argentina have only a few real strengths: their 9 and 10.

Expect the Argentinians to kick a lot early for touch and playing the high bombs that worked so well to date; they’ll work through phases, and look to shift out wide given an opportunity. Unfortunately for them, the South African pack may well prevent this altogether, and their backs, with ball in hand, are a fearsome prospect.

Prediction: brief kicking interludes; heavy forward play from both sides, interspersed with pockets of open, flowing back play, mainly by the Springboks. South Africa to win by 14 points.