It’s certainly a case of ‘sink or swim’ for the Springboks in Pool B, as they look to defend their title as World Champions at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
There has been a lot of uncertainty for the Springboks surrounding injuries, position switches, goal-kicking, and the supposed departure of Rassie Erasmus. There is no doubt that Jacques Nienaber will initiate a change of focus and a shift of gears, as the opening round of the Rugby World Cup beckons.
BIG statement win by the Springboks two weeks out from the World Cup. Should’ve been 50.
Boks up to second in the rankings, All Blacks down to fourth. #NZLvRSA pic.twitter.com/LbhYjLEJIE
— Simon Borchardt (@SimonBorchardt) August 25, 2023
A warm-up game win over the All Blacks offers hope, yet Springbok supporters only settle for the best. The boys in green and gold know that the nation is behind them no matter what. However, there expectation to bring the Webb Ellis trophy back to South Africa. Do well in their pool games, and the first ‘toe in the water’ will support this team’s objectives.
Sink or Swim: Springboks in Pool B
Before the Springboks and company can size up potential opponents for the knockout stages of the competition, they will first need to take a lengthy ‘swim through the treacherous waters’ of Pool B.
The Scots are currently in unbelievable form and will enter the competition as legitimate contenders.
Sizzling Scotland to ‘size up’ Springboks
Let’s address the kilt-wearing elephant in the room, South Africans in the Scotland team. The contingency of ex-pats in the Scottish team will always be a topic of conversation and it creates a tense rivalry.
For varying reasons, Duhan Van Der Merwe, Kyle Steyn, WP Nel, and Pierre Schoeman made their way into Scotland’s national team and have become key members of the team. Beating the Springboks in Pool B at this year’s Rugby World Cup would be something that would leave a huge dent in South Africa’s ambition, and it would go down as a great RWC upset. This is undoubtedly a source of motivation for Scotland.
Beware of the ‘Finn in the Water’
South African Scots aside, the real threat that Scotland presents is that of France’s favorite son and flyhalf extraordinaire, Finn Russell. Russell directs the flow of traffic like no other and when he decides it’s game on, any team is in danger.
Russell, Tuiplotu, and Huw Jones are a dangerous trio that creates constant diversions in the first receiver position. They’ve played together for a long time and they are all comfortable with standing at 10. Either as a dummy runner or to feed the ball to or behind a clump of waiting forwards. These simple adjustments then give Russell even more space to work with. The possibilities are always unpredictable with Russel behind the wheel and his pair of centres riding shotgun.
Scotland enters the Rugby World Cup as one of the few teams who have their genuine first-choice flyhalf available from the outset. South Africa will have to work hard shutting Russell down. Especially now he and head coach Gregor Townsend have mended their fences, and have their playing group ‘frothing’.
Whether it’s a well-executed backline move or a cheeky cross-kick, giving Russell space to play is not an option if the Springboks in Pool B wish to progress further in this World Cup tournament.
Luck Of the Irish major threat to Boks ambition
Ireland has a knack for being the best team to always fall short at the Rugby World Cup. The Irish will be looking to not only break the curse and progress to the knockout stages of the competition, they will have their eyes on winning their first-ever Rugby World Cup title.
Andy Farrell has had a lot of success since taking over as head coach after the RWC 2019. He will be looking to expand his already impressive resume.
Much like Scotland, Ireland is a different team when Johnny Sexton is at flyhalf. The Irish will be patiently waiting for their captain to return to the field. After a lengthy injury and his recent ban, there is talk of Sexton’s form [by the time he is eligible to play again] yet his leadership is on a plane with Brian O’Driscoll or current assistant coach, Paul O’Connell.
Andy Farrell and anyone with an ounce of rugby knowledge will agree that Sexton will have no problems slotting back into the Irish side, even under the pressure of the Rugby World Cup spotlight. A smooth sea never made a good sailor and Sexton is no exception. He has more than enough experience to pick up where he left off and guide his side to victory.
Ireland, on paper, poses the biggest threat to South Africa. They play a similar game, one that is well-structured and capitalizes on mistakes made by the opposing team. Ireland can physically match the Boks upfront, as well as keep up when the game speeds up. In this writer’s eyes, Ireland has all the assets to upset South Africa.
Familiar foes face-to-face in Springboks/Ireland clash
Dynamic loose forwards, strong at the set-piece, burly centres, and wingers capable of finishing as well as creating opportunities. Sound familiar? Ireland and South Africa will certainly be a game both nations will be looking forward to, as they take turns to ‘give and receive’ some familiar resources.
Swept to the international stage on an Irish rainbow, in the end, it is South Africa that claims the pot of gold. The pot of gold being Jean Kleyn. Having played for Ireland in 2019, this year supporters will see if Kleyn is aboard his favored ship of his birth nation, when they turn the tables on the Irish in pool play and any possible knockout game.
Tonga reinforced by new World Rugby eligibility rules
Tonga will be looking to make a statement this year as they have a good number of former All Blacks in their squad of 32. The 33rd spot is being kept open for Israel Folau, should he return to fitness.
Strengthened by the recent changes to eligibility laws, Tonga will give it there all as usual. Tonga are physical and opportunistic, often scoring tries from loose play or misplaced kicks. They have provided their fair share of Test match upsets over the years. Tonga are never a team to overlook, the same can be said for their neighbors Fiji and Samoa.
Congratulations Tonga on winning the Asia/Pacific Play-Off against Hong Kong and qualifying for @France2023.
Tonga go into Pool B with reigning champions South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and Georgia.
HK go into the final qualifying tournament in Nov with USA, Portugal & Kenya. pic.twitter.com/hwq9Uisl5L
— #Rugbyunited (@rugbyunited) July 23, 2022
Realistically, they may not pose a threat in Pool B per say. Romania is an ever-improving Tier 2 nation, it is only a matter of time before they start giving the big names in rugby a hard time.
Japan was written off not too long ago and we all know how that went for the Springboks.
Just as Tonga will look to Fiji as inspiration, Romania will seek motivation from their neighbors across the Black Sea, Georgia. The Eastern European team will, if anything, play with intense passion and pride. Their record in the Rugby World Cup is nothing special but not completely dismal either.
Romania does not pose a threat to the Springboks yet every year that passes, the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 gets smaller and smaller. One team is bound to have a big result, so the current champions need to take no small moment too relaxed or underprepared.
No game too small, or no moment too big for Springboks in Pool B
Every game counts for South Africa. It’s vital that they win their biggest games against Scotland and Ireland. Period. Those are the clashes at the top of the list, and are rightly there to focus on.
If they happen to lose one of those two games, they might still scrape through [on points difference accumulated in games against Tonga and Romania] to the playoffs. Every single game in the Rugby World Cup contributes to a team’s progression to the knockout stages, so it is certainly a case of ‘sink or swim’ if this squad wants to be successful, and emulate the 2019 champion team.
The Springboks seem to be finding form at the perfect time, let’s see if they can maintain that momentum.
“Main photo credit Wikimedia Creative Commons”
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