Hamish (Hamedog) Flickr
Star Players
It did not come as a surprise to Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer when Germany beat Brazil 7-1 in the FIFA World cup last year. The South African coach had been keeping up with Germany's progress and was inspired by the system the Germans had set in place from age grade to international, making the transition as smooth as possible. This inspired Meyer to create a similar lineage in South Africa and the effects were immediate. South Africa one the U-20 world cup in 2012 and were in the finals for the next two championships. South Africa now have a wealth of talent across the board, and are developing well in order to peak at the right end of the season. Young guns such as Handre Pollard, and Jan Serfontein, inject a wealth of energy, and possibilities into the squad. Conversely both players are inexperienced, and it shows in their game, when taking the pressure of a large test match such as the rugby championship mistakes start to slip into their game, and can potentially cost the team the win. Although given time they both should peak in time, come the world cup they will be different players. Despite the fact that the Springboks focus on the physical encounters in order to grind out wins, more and more nowadays the team look to the outside backs to ignite some go foreword spark and potentially a try. The starting back three of Willie Le Roux, Bryan Habana, and Cornall Hendricks all provide the excitement that Heyneke Meyer is looking for, and consistently to, it is fair to say it does not come as a surprise anymore when they break the defensive wall because they do it so often. Finally and most importantly it is the forward pack where we see the workhorse of this Springbok team. The front row of Tendai (beast) Tawarira, Jannie and Bismarck du Plesis all have extremely high work rates around the field, and provide an excellent job of moving bodies in the ruck, although are surprisingly mobile for their size. Older players have also reignited their careers due to the excitement this team is building, the experience of Victor Matfield, and Bakkies Botha could be the key towards the end of the competition.
South Africa have a history of success in the world cup winning the 1995 world cup in South Africa and the 2007 world cup in France, they also came 3rd in 1999. They should have an easy run through the pool games at this world cup having a 100% record against Samoa, and the USA, They also have an 80% record against Scotland, although they have not lost against them in a long time. South Africa has never played Japan, which could make for an interesting test, although nothing that this Springbok team will not expect.
How They've Fared
19/09 Vs. Japan
Brighton Community Staidum
26/09 Vs. Samoa
Villa Park
03/10 Vs. Scotland
St. James Park
07/10 Vs. USA
Olympic Stadium