Day three of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France sees three more pool fixtures – and the entrance of reigning champions South Africa.
The Springboks begin their title defence in Marseille against Scotland, after the game between 2019 hosts Japan and qualifiers Chile in Toulouse.
Wales and Fiji form an exciting evening clash in Bordeaux, meanwhile, with both hoping to spring a surprise later in the competition.
Japan vs Chile – Pool D
A pair of underdogs kick off Sunday’s action at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, as Japan tackle Chile in Toulouse.
It’s the Japanese that go in as favourites under coach Jamie Joseph, as they attempt to create a little more history four years on from their home competition.
Coach Pablo Lemoine pits his South American qualifiers against the Brave Blossoms, looking to spring a surprise on the opening weekend.
Japan Starting XV: 15 Semisi Masirewa, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Jone Naikabula, 10 Rikiya Matsuda, 9 Yutaka Nagare, 8 Kazuki Himeno (c), 7 Kanji Shimokawa, 6 Michael Leitch, 5 Amato Fakatava, 4 Jack Cornelsen, 3 Jiwon Gu, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Keita Inagaki.
Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 Warner Dearns, 20 Shota Fukui, 21 Naoto Saito, 22 Tomoki Osada, 23 Lomano Lemeki.
Chile Starting XV: 15 Inaki Ayarza, 14 Santiago Videla, 13 Domingo Saavedra, 12 Matias Garafulic, 11 Franco Velarde, 10 Rodrigo Fernandez, 9 Marcelo Torrealba, 8 Alfonso Escobar, 7 Raimundo Martínez, 6 Martín Sigren (c), 5 Javier Eissmann, 4 Clemente Saavedra, 3 Matias Dittus, 2 Diego Escobar, 1 Javier Carrasco.
Replacements: 16 Augusto Bohme, 17 Salvador Lues, 18 Inaki Gurruchaga, 19 Pablo Huete, 20 Santiago Pedrero, 21 Ignacio Silva, 22 Lukas Carvallo, 23 José Ignacio Larenas.
Kick off time: 15:00
South Africa vs Scotland – Pool b
Reigning champions South Africa begin their Rugby World Cup title defence on Sunday when they go up against Scotland in Marseille.
Captain Siya Kolisi is present and correct for the Springboks, with coach Jacques Nienaber taking the reigns from 2019 boss Rassie Erasmus.
They’re coming into the competition hot thanks to a stirring warm up win over New Zealand at Twickenham a fortnight ago.
And don’t forget the (in)famous bomb squad of forwards among the replacements, including hooker Bongi Mbonambi and the giant RG Snyman.
But expect the improving Scots to have a right good go at it, under the charge of coach Gregor Townsend.
Finn Russell is the wildcard captain from fly-half, while the likes of Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe must face up to the added intensity of playing against the country of their birth.
South Africa Starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (Captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Willie le Roux.
Scotland Starting XV: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Jamie Ritchie (captain), 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 WP Nel, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Matt Fagerson, 21 Ali Price, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Ollie Smith.
Kick off time: 17:45
Wales vs Fiji – Pool C
A fascinating Pool C fixture between Wales and Fiji brings the first weekend of the 2023 Rugby World Cup to a climax in Bordeaux on Sunday.
Veteran coach Warren Gatland heads into his record-breaking fifth global tournament having steadied the Welsh ship following a rocky couple of years.
But his side will have to be on their mettle against the Pacific islanders, who pulled off a famous victory over England at Twickenham in the build up to the tournament.
Tongan-born Taulupe Faletau is a welcome fitness boost for the British nation, for whom whizkid Louis Rees-Zammit is among those making their World Cup bow.
Wales Starting XV: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Rio Dyer.
Fiji Starting XV: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12 Semi Radradra, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 6 Albert Tuisue, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Levani Botia, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Josua Tuisova, 23 Sireli Maqala.
Kick off time: 21:00
RWC 2023: Margin and winner predictions for 8-10 September
Prediction methodology explained: The expected win percentage is based off publicly available odds or RugbyVision’s data model. Score margins use the methodology developed by Rugby Vision and Rugby4Cast.
Team | Win % | Win % | Team | Margin |
France | 40.70% | 59.30% | New Zealand | -3 |
Italy | 97.90% | 2.10% | Namibia | 32 |
Ireland | 99.70% | 0.30% | Romania | 49 |
Australia | 88.90% | 11.10% | Georgia | 17 |
England | 50.20% | 49.80% | Argentina | 1 |
Japan | 92.60% | 7.40% | Chile | 21 |
South Africa | 83.30% | 16.70% | Scotland | 13 |
Wales | 63.00% | 37.00% | Fiji | 4 |
Note: All kick off times are SAST (GMT +2)