Calendars marked, supporter gear ironed and fridges stocked – rugby fans are salivating at the thought of a title defence.
No other tournament has as much significance to a sporting nation as the Rugby World Cup does to South Africa. Like psychological glue, a collective baptism and a societal redefining of battle lines, the Rugby World Cup comes every four years to remind the nation of what can be achieved when pulling in one direction for a shared goal. The title has only ever been defended once and October would be a good time for South Africa to one-up their all-time record sharers.
From September 8 to October 28, 20 teams from every continent, barring North America for the first time, will lay themselves down for ultimate honours. A collection of the usual suspects will make up the final eight then the team that puts together three wins in a row will be crowned champions. Countless twists and turns lay ahead and every team will play their role in this ever-evolving fantasy. Here is a brief rundown of what to expect in the next seven weeks.
Chum for the sharks that have bigger fish on their menu
Other than the likes of Chile, Romania and Portugal welcoming the exposure, a few perennial supporting actors will be stuck in limbo. Italy may be doomed to another third-placed pool finish while Fiji will have a weak Welsh team lined up for an early exit. Japan and Samoa will hope England is more fragile than already evident but barring catastrophic humiliation for the Roses, England should escape.
Every team will be guaranteed at least four matches with those wishing to avoid the wooden spoon going to France for the experience. This stalemate of relative predictability poses the question of whether a plate or second-tier bracket should be introduced to give the minnows something realistic to aim for instead of banging their head against the wall every four years.
Big talking pretenders secretly hoping to reach the bare minimum. With one exception …
Australian rugby is at an embarrassing low and Eddie Jones will be a miracle maker to get them past the quarter-finals, a routine achievement for the two-time winners. Likewise, England, even if they navigate potential trouble in their pool, will be ecstatic to win a quarter-final. Plucky Scotland has the talent to pull off one big game but does not have the stamina to do so in succession.
Argentina is the most improved team in the professional era and will be afraid of nobody. Annual tests against the southern hemisphere giants have allowed them to sharpen their skills, and hopefully this time around, their discipline. A team with lots of European experience and talent in every position, no team can afford an off-day against Los Pumas. If other results pave a favourable pathway, Julian Montoya’s men could have a fairytale run.
Unconquerable juggernauts, audacious jesters and the little Ireland that could
South Africa and New Zealand have six world cups between them and odds are that either will add to their three titles. France will be the biggest threat to any extension of records as they have spent years building the perfect squad to seize this moment on home soil. Neutrals love to romanticise the Irish but they have never been passed the quarter-finals. These top four ranked teams in the world also meet each other in the pool stage and then the quarter-finals, meaning Ireland will have to achieve the unprecedented before even reaching the final.
Best match-ups of the opening weekend
The biggest tussle of the weekend is the opening Friday night fixture between the hosts and the All Blacks (September 8 at 21:15). As mentioned, the loser goes on to play the winner of the Springboks’ pool, giving the fixture added gravitas. The Saturday night England against Argentina match (September 9 at 21:00) may set the tone for both teams, and a loss for England will have their hysterical media sharpening the guillotines.
For those with any gas left in the tank on Sunday night, Wales versus Fiji (September 10 at 21:00) will be a defining Pool C encounter. Off the back of intense competition in Super Rugby Pacific, the Fijians are battling tested and the Welsh squad is the wrong blend of elderly and immature.
All eyes south of the Limpopo will be glued to the Springboks versus Scotland clash (September 10 at 17:45). The men wearing the green and gold have a mighty weight on their broad shoulders but they have proven themselves to be worthy and willing. The Scots will provide entertaining competition but Springbok pragmatism and execution should make them the headliners.
