It was New Zealand's day in the opening pool B encounter against South Africa on Saturday, a match which lived up to a number of expectations leading into it. What started out as an intense contest, worthy of a final, however, turned into a scrappy encounter that South Africa will hope to forget.
The Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday, and this year promises to be one of the most competitive and exciting tournaments ever. Realistically, any one of four top teams could win it, with other dark horses also capable of pulling off a few big wins. As difficult as it is to predict the World Cup in Japan, let's take a look at it anyway...
Just days away from the start of the Rugby World Cup in Japan, and social media is filled with predictions and support for various countries. One of the most popular teams that have been touted to make the final have been in phenomenal form in 2019, and will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in Japan. Coached by the masterful Eddie Jones, England look like a well-oiled machine after their Word Cup preparations.
As we gear up for the biggest event on the rugby calendar, people all over traditional and social media debate the various teams' chances in Japan, and how each team should stack up throughout the tournament. In the first of a number of previews and profiles of the top teams in this year's World Cup, I look at the Springboks and their form and depth running into the showcase in Japan.
This weekend will see the final preparation matches ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan at the end of September. One of the most influential matches of the weekend will take place in Dublin, as Ireland and Wales will clash in their second match in two weeks; a match which can have great ramifications for the much debated official World Rankings.
With the Springbok squad Rugby World Cup announcement just a day away, and with media all over South Africa speculating about which one out of the current 32-man squad will miss out, I thought I should add my voice into the conversation. With just 31 places available in the Rugby World Cup 2019 squad, competition for all places is fierce, and provides a positive selection headache for the Bok coach for the first time since the last World Cup.
Coetzee has announced his squad to take on the French as part of the incoming tour in June, and most notably announced the new captain, Warren Whiteley, as the leader to take this young side back to the top. He has also announced a very strong SA A side to take on the on the French Barbarians around the same time. I am going to give my opinions on the squads as a whole, eventually coming to a personal starting 23 for each team based on their current form.
It is becoming apparent that South Africa are on the verge of their worst season in international rugby since their re-entry onto the world stage back in 1994. After losing to a lacklustre and highly unfocused Wallabies side on Saturday, I am seriously concerned with the current direction of the Boks. The men in green … Continue reading South Africa closing on second consecutive Wooden-Spoon
Stephen Kisbey-Green Photography 