All Blacks ($1.27) v South Africa ($3.50)
What a contrast between the two quarter-finals on Saturday here in the UK. The first, at Twickenham was, quite frankly, a crashing bore between two sides who were quite content to bash heads all day.
The Springboks, as expected, bashed theirs slightly harder
and ended the tournament for the brave, but limited Welsh.
South Africa, stung by their shock reversal in their opening game against Japan have reverted to type which means endless kicking from numbers 9 and 10 and one off running from the giants up front. There's almost a total lack of skill; when did you last see a lumbering Springbok prop off load in contact ala Joe Moody or Charlie Faumuina?
It was a tight and tense match but the Springboks didn't do anything that would make the other remaining sides at the Cup feel nervous and it's a shame in some ways because only two years ago there was a graphic illustration of what they can do if they put their mind to it. You remember the scenario - the Springboks had to beat the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with a bonus point, to win the Rugby Championship and what transpired was one of those games for the ages.
Sure they didn't win that day but there was clear evidence that with a positive mind-set the Springboks have the ability to play at high speed and show their skill - but hey, it won't happen this weekend because the crash, bash and kick has seen them through to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Then to the Millennium Stadium - wow is about the only word I can come up with. After watching the French bumble their way through pool play, most pundits thought the All Blacks would win but who really saw that performance coming? I don't go along with some who reckon the French played poorly, they were just no match for a runaway train where all 23 players made a major contribution.
As always, the All Blacks, Steve Hansen in particular, were brilliantly understated after the game but watching the coaches box during the match you could see how they felt about the demolition.
So to Twickenham on Saturday and the script has already been written - the Springboks conservative, straightforward and abrasive - the All Blacks skilful, innovative and exciting - I know which I'd rather watch and the hope is that the best team in the world can again show the sublime skills that were on show in Cardiff and convince the rest of the rugby world that tries are worth more points than kicks for a very good reason.
Grant Nisbett is a TAB rugby expert and SKY TV commentator.
