South Africa vs Romania: Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, odds
Sunday afternoon’s Rugby World Cup Pool B opener will see a heavily rotated Springboks side take on the Eastern European minnows, defeated by Ireland a week ago.
With the win over Scotland, the defending champions have overcome the first major hurdle on the way to the quarter-finals and are expected to pick up a bonus point with a big win in their next game.
Date, kick-off time and venue
South Africa vs Romania will take place on Sunday 17 September 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm BST.
The host is the Stade de Bordeaux.
Where to watch South Africa vs Romania?
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage starting at 1.30pm.
Live broadcast: The ITV website and ITVX app also offer fans a free live stream service online.
News about the team South Africa vs. Romania
The Boks have named all four scrum-halves in their squad for the weekend, with Cobus Reinach given the nod to start. Faf de Klerk and Jaden Hendrikse will sit on the bench while Grant Williams starts on the wing.
Canan Moodie and Jean Kleyn return from injury as South Africa heavily rotate the team that beat Scotland.
Lineups South Africa vs. Romania
South Africa XV: LeRoux; Williams, Moodie, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi; Willemse, Reinach; Vermeulen, Smith, Van Staden, Orie, Kleyn, Koch, Mbonambi (c), Nche
Substitute: Fourie, Kitshoff, Nyakane, Snyman, Wiese, Hendrikse, De Klerk, Kriel
Romania XV: TBC
Referee South Africa against Romania
Mathieu Raynal, the referee during England’s victory over Argentina, takes over in Bordeaux.
Australian official Angus Gardner and Pierre Brousset of France are the assistants, while Australian Brett Cronan oversees the TMO.
Prediction South Africa vs Romania
The defending champion faces a little guy who has already been taken to the cleaners by another pre-tournament favorite? It should only go in one direction.
South Africa wins with a bonus point.
Head-to-head history (h2h) and results
The only previous meeting between these two teams was at the 1995 World Cup, which the Springboks won 21-8 in Cape Town.
Current odds for South Africa vs Romania
Some bookmakers will no longer accept bets on a South African win.
Romania to win: 50/1
Draw: 50/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/rugby/south-africa-vs-romania-rugby-world-cup-2023-kick-off-time-tv-channel-live-stream-team-news-lineups-odds-preview-b1106863.html South Africa vs Romania: Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, odds
