OPINION: Springboks revved for World Cup 2019
The drum roll has begun and the question if the Boks will make this RWC title number three, beckons.
It will be the turn of the Springboks to carry the hopes of the nation as they tackle Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2019 in Japan from September 20.
The South Africans will be a touch buoyed by their recent World Cup warm-up match win against hosts Japan, a team which they briskly cast aside for an impressive 41–7 win at the Kumagaya Athletic Stadium on September 6.
For the Boks, two previous World Cup titles, an unbeaten run to triumph in the year’s Rugby Championship in July, and the obvious bamboozling of the host nation, are all the hallmarks of a team ready to contest, but more importantly, hoist the Webb Ellis trophy come November 2.
A tough assignment against three-time and current defending title holders, New Zealand, however, beckons first. From this tie, the Boks will hope to launch a successful six-week long assault, as a win here might just be the antidote needed to do so. Last time out, coach Rassie Erasmus’ men managed to eke out a 16-all draw against them in their own backyard, courtesy of a last minute Handré Pollard conversion in the Rugby Championship in July.
Many would agree that a draw against New Zealand, which does not come often either as opposing teams are usually the ones reduced to spectatorship, is a feat which in itself is as good as a win. The Boks will therefore be happy to get their World Cup date with The All Blacks out of the way, in order to pursue easier outings against their other Pool B opponents, Italy, Namibia and Canada.
Ahead of this, Erasmus has been presented with a single niggle: play Makazole Mapimpi, who made it a point to score a hat-trick of tries in the Japan game, in the left wing post, or S’busiso Nkosi, who stole the show with a brace of tries in South Africa’s previous test, for a 24–18 win over Argentina in Pretoria.
All things considered, which notably includes the return to full fitness for Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, means the team have everything going for them heading into their World Cup opener. The match kicks off at 11.45am South African Time (SAT) at the Yokohama International Stadium on September 21.
