RWC 2007: Boks vs bogey team
Brad Morgan
11 March 2005
To be the best one has to beat the best. To win the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the Springboks will have to beat all comers. That includes World Cup holders England.
Since the 1999 World Cup, the Springboks have struggled against the big guns of the game. Last season's 40-26 victory over the All Blacks at Ellis Park marked only South Africa's second win against New Zealand since beating them in the World Cup playoff for third and fourth six years ago. That was in the course of 10 Tests since 1999.
SA's record against Australia in that time makes for better reading: the Aussies have won six times, the Springboks four times, and there has been one draw.
Not even close
At least, in 2004, South Africa beat both Australia and New Zealand. They haven't beaten England since June 2000. The English have rattled off five wins on the trot, by an average score of 32-13. That's not even close.
Now, South Africa's road to
World Cup success in 2007 lies through the English. South Africa has been drawn to face the world champions in their second match of the competition finals.
The Boks begin their challenge for rugby's biggest prize on 8 September 2007 against an Oceania region qualifier in Paris. On 14 September they face up to England, in Paris again.
Determing the pool winner
With remaining games against a team that wins through a repecharge match, and against the third qualifier from the Americas, the showdown with England will surely amount to the contest that determines the pool winner. Certainly, finishing top of the pool could greatly enhance a side's chance of success later in the tournament.
The Boks' World Cup record against England is all square at one win apiece. Last time out, in 2003 in Australia, the English won 25-6 on their way to winning the title.
In 1999, though, South Africa achieved a famous victory, and the venue was Paris,
where the teams will meet again in two years' time.
On that occasion flyhalf Jannie de Beer tore the heart from the English effort, slotting a world record five dropped goals, as South Africa recorded a convincing 44-21 win. Springbok fans will be hoping that victory and the venue is a good omen for the future.
Building on 2004
2005 has brought with it a slow start to the Super 12 for South Africa's teams, but SA supporters will be hoping the pleasing progress made by the Springboks under Jake White in 2004 will be continued this year.
White was successful in introducing fresh young talent to the national team last year, players who should hopefully, in 2007, be part of a settled side that has matured nicely over the course of four years. Hopefully, too, they should be aided by experience and in their prime.
Such a path could be the recipe for World Cup success.
South Africa's 2007 RWC schedule:
9 September:
SA vs Oceania 1, Parc des Princes
14 September: SA vs England, Stade de France
22 September: SA v Repechage 2, Lens
30 September: SA v Americas 3, Montpellier
6 October: Possible quarter-final - Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A, Marseille
OR
7 October: Possible quarter-final - Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B, Marseille
13 October: Possible semi-final - Stade de France
OR
14 October: Possible semi-final - Stade de France
19 October: Possible 3rd place play-off, Parc des Princes
OR
20 October: Possible Final - Stade de France
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