International Rugby Predictions – 15-16 November

The back-to-back world champions kick-start another action-packed weekend of Test rugby as the battle between the North and South rages on.

Surging England will battle the All Blacks at Twickenham, Wales and Japan collide in Cardiff, Ireland take on the Wallabies in Dublin and France face Fiji in Bordeaux to wrap up Super Saturday.

The Sunday showdown is one not to be missed as Scotland square off against Argentina at Murrayfield. Here’s how we see things playing out…

Italy v South Africa

Saturday, 15 November – 14:40

Even though this is the third meeting between the teams this year and the Boks cruised to victory in both games back on home soil in July – winning 42-24 and 45-0 – the world-leading South Africans won’t take Italy lightly.

That’s not only because of the Azzurri’s 26-19 upset win over the Wallabies last weekend and the fact that they’ll have home ground advantage this time around. It’s also because Rassie Erasmus’ wider squad and rotation policy don’t allow for complacency.

With so much depth at Erasmus’ disposal, senior stalwarts and young players alike have to make the most of every opportunity they get or see themselves lose favour. A much-changed side to the one coming off a 32-17 triumph over France will take to the turf in Turin and those fresh legs and hunger should see the Boks bank an emphatic win. 

Prediction: South Africa by 20.

Suggested Bet: Italy +22 at 1.90.

England v New Zealand

Saturday, 15 November – 17:10

The game of the weekend takes place at Twickenham, where a surging England side put their nine-match winning streak on the line against the All Blacks.

Steve Borthwick has been quietly building a beast, one that’s beaten all comers since their 27-22 season-opening loss to Ireland in Dublin. The Red Roses’ resurgence started with a 26-25 victory over France, included a comfortable win at Murrayfield, a series triumph in Argentina and a statement 25-7 victory over the Wallabies. 

Fresh off a 38-18 win over Fiji last weekend, England now eye a Kiwi scalp. It’s personal for Maro Itoje and company as they were on the wrong side of three extremely close contests between the teams last year, losing 16-15 in Dunedin, 24-17 in Auckland and 24-22 at Twickenham.

The old rivals played to a 25-all draw prior to that in 2022, with England having last tasted victory over the New Zealanders in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, when they stunned them 19-7.

The All Blacks survived a Scottish scare last weekend, leaving Murrayfield with a 25-17 win to keep their Grand Slam hopes alive. For all their talent, they remain unconvincing under Scott Robertson and don’t have the aura of All Black teams of old.

For the first time in recent memory, England are the favourites against New Zealand and rightfully so. Even with their stuttering and injuries, I won’t be shocked if the All Blacks pull it through, but England are in a great place and their bench, who’ve been so potent, should help power them to a particularly sweet win.

Prediction: England by 2.

Suggested Bet: England -1 at 1.90.

Wales v Japan

Saturday, 15 November – 19:40

It’s the rubber match after these two sides squared their series in the Land of the Rising Sun in July. Japan won the first meeting 24-19, with Wales winning the second 31-22 to break their record 18-game losing streak.

Last weekend’s game against Argentina was their first since then and their maiden outing under new coach Steve Tandy, and it could not have gone worse, as they suffered a record 24-point defeat and lost captain Zac Morgan to a serious injury.

Japan pushed the Wallabies close, losing 19-15 before heavy defeats to the Boks (61-7) and Ireland (41-10) over the last fortnight, but at odds of 5.00, they carry incredible value in Cardiff.  

Prediction: Japan by 1.

Suggested Bet: Japan at 5.00.

Ireland v Australia

Saturday, 15 November – 22:10

Ahead of their grudge match against the Boks next weekend, Ireland will look to build momentum and continue their success against Australia in recent years.

The Irish have won the last four Tests in this rivalry, all by five points or less, and most recently eked out a 22-19 win at the very Aviva Stadium where they’ll renew hostilities on Saturday this time last year.

They bounced back from their 26-13 loss to the All Blacks in Chicago with a 41-10 win over Japan last weekend but were still far off their best, prompting Andy Farrell to climb into his troops.

The usually reserved Irish head coach told his players to “get over themselves” and described their last two performances as “Charity Shield“ stuff, referring to the generally slow-paced English soccer pre-season exhibition game.

Last weekend’s shock 26-19 loss to Italy was the Wallabies’ second-ever defeat to the Azzurri and highlighted how far they’ve fallen after their encouraging start to the season.

Now on a four-game losing streak, they’ll up their intensity and physicality, but it won’t be enough against an Irish team who’ve been read the riot act.

Prediction: Ireland by 5.

Suggested Bet: Australia +11 at 1.90.

France v Fiji

Saturday, 15 November – 22:10

The French are fuming after what one of their media outlets dubbed the “new nightmare at the Stade de France” last weekend. Beaten 32-17 by a Bok team who had to play the entire second half with 14 men, Les Bleus are set to deliver a backlash at Fiji’s expense.

The Islanders trailed just 21-18 at the hour-mark last weekend before England pulled clear to win by 20 and can create something out of nothing. However, the Pacific Nations Cup champions’ indiscipline reared its ugly head at Twickenham and they’ll struggle to contain the seething Six Nations champions.

Prediction: France by 24.

Suggested Bet: France -23 at 1.90.

Scotland v Argentina

Sunday, 16 November – 17:10

A mouth-watering matchup wraps up the weekend’s action at Murrayfield.

This is no ordinary Test for Scotland, it’s a season-defining showdown. They’re 5-5 in 2025 and have to win this one against a side of similar strength to show they’re heading in the right direction.

Down 17-0 against the All Blacks at halftime last weekend, they showed great fight to make it 17-all and there was a buzz in the Edinburgh air that they might finally earn that elusive first-ever win over the Kiwis. 

Though it was not to be, the Scots proved to themselves that they can hang with the No. 2-ranked team in the world, which will give them confidence going into this clash against Argentina, who are two places above them in sixth position.

The Pumas purred in their record 52-28 rout of Wales last weekend to snap a two-match losing streak and start their tour on the best possible note. Consistency is always an issue for the Argentinians, so while they have the talent to triumph, I’m siding with the hosts, who haven’t lost to the Pumas on home soil since 2009.

Prediction: Scotland by 2.

Suggested Bet: Argentina +3 at 1.90.