Quarter Finals Part Two - Boom!

After yesterday's pulsating games, today's promise to be slightly easier to predict.

South Africa vs Australia
Before the tournament you would probably have said that the dazzling Australian backline had too much for South Africa. Quade Cooper (or the messiah as Australia had got to calling him) was looking amazing and controlling everything. Now though, his confidence appears to have lessened. Hopefully, in part to the absolutely torrents of abuse the NZ crowds have directed his way after his multiple clashes with our Richie. And shorn of Digby Iaone they have lost the form finisher in world rugby. They look a little human again. Multiple injuries later and they look thoroughly beatable (as the Irish found). South Africa started weakly too in their game against the Welsh but have slowly improved as their pack have found their feet in NZ. In Brussow the Boks have found their champion. Massive that bloke. They too are slowly falling to injuries and the mighty other Steyn Francs has had to go home. That will hopefully prevent a recurrence of the crap we have faced with him kicking penalty goals from his own 22 (or close to that). I think their pack will have too much for the Aussies eventually, the kiwi crowd will get on Cooper's back again and he'll fall apart, and the gaps will start opening up eventually. Boks by SIX. Or not. I don't know really.

ABs vs Argentina
Four years ago, maybe, just maybe. What? Who am I kidding. Four years ago we would have killed them then too. Without Hernandez they are short a first five. Lobbe is busted and out. Contepomi is an old man and looks it now. His kicking is wayward and his decisions are safe instead of brilliant like they used to be. Their pack is full of old men lumbering around. Yep, they took England to the wire. But everyone has taken England to the wire this tournament and they are / were a terrible team. I'm not suspecting any surprises and we should win by FIFTEEN. Slade to step up and nail a few penalties to boost the confidence early doors, and the whole world will get off his back. God, I hope so. We have Kieran Reid back at last and ready to show the world what they've missed the last six months. Plus the gorgeous Conrad Smith for whom I have no greater love at the moment. Can you give me an Amen? I said can you give me an AMEN? Lordy.