The Springboks’ reign as Rugby World Cup (RWC) champions will come to an end in the quarter-finals of the 2027 edition at the hands of the All Blacks, and this comes from a power even higher than a sangoma.
This power, of course, is a SuperComputer.
The machine uses an “Elo Rating,” which is derived from their current men’s world ranking points. This is used to see how in past World Cups, nations of this strength have played against each other. The ‘Supercomputer’ then predicts scores for every game in the form of a points difference.
“The 10,000 simulations run is where it simulates the entire tournament from start to finish and records how far each nation gets each time.”
RWC Draw in Sydney: Springboks in Group B with Italy, Georgia, and Romania
The SuperComputer, run by AceOdds, sees South Africa’s tournament going well until the quarter-finals. It sees the Boks predictably winning all three of their group games, but their points difference of 39 seems a bit low, especially because Georgia and Romania will almost certainly be steamrolled by the Boks.
In the round of 16, South Africa will then take on Spain and win that match by 45 points.
However, it will then be taking on three-time champions and eternal rivals, New Zealand, in the quarter-finals. The result will go the way of the All Blacks by three points as Rassie Erasmus’s men bow out.
According to the SuperComputer, New Zealand will also go on to beat England in the final to win their fourth title to match the Springboks.
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
