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Cape Town - Bookmakers have slashed the odds on Ireland winning a first Rugby World Cup title at next year's tournament in Japan.
Ireland stunned the rugby world - and New Zealand in particular - by beating the two-time defending World Cup winners and current world No 1-ranked All Blacks 16-9 in Dublin on Saturday.
As a result, leading SA bookies Sportingbet have cut Ireland's World Cup odds from 8/1 to 3/1, making them second-favourites behind New Zealand (1/1).
England, unconvincing 35-15 winners over Japan on Saturday have slipped to third-best at 13/2, while the Springboks, finding some form after narrow wins over France and Scotland, can be backed at 15/2.
The Wallabies are on offer at 10/1, while Wales and France (20/1) represent the best of the rest.
The 2019 World Cup kicks off on Friday, September 20 as hosts Japan face Russia.
The following day will see a mouth-watering encounter as the All Blacks and Springboks square off in Yokohama at 11:45 SA time.
The loser of that blockbuster is likely to face the winner of the Ireland v Scotland Pool A clash, in the quarter-finals.
The final is scheduled for Saturday, November 2.
Rugby World Cup 2019 pools:
Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Russia, Samoa
Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Namibia, Repechage winner (Canada or Hong Kong)
Pool C: England, France, Argentina, USA, Tonga
Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Fiji, Uruguay
Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup match schedule (SA times):
Saturday, September 21: South Africa v New Zealand,
International Stadium - Yokohama (11:45)
Saturday, September 28: South Africa v Africa 1, City of
Toyota Stadium - Aichi (11:45)
Friday, October 4: South Africa v Italy, Shizuoka Stadium
Ecopa - Shizuoka (11:45)
Tuesday, October 8: South Africa v Repechage winner, Kobe Misaki Stadium - Kobe (12:15)
