RWC 2015 Preview Magazine Special Edition | Page 23

South Africa
Nickname: The Springboks
World Cup appearances: 5
World Cup best finish:
Winners, 1995, 2007

The Springboks are the
inarguable favourates to emerge
at the top of the pool B with either
Scotland or Samoa vying for the
second spot, although the everimproving Japanese side could
still pull a miracle.
In all fairness, the Boks
have been pitted in arguably
the easiest and open pool. A
setback similar to the losses
against Argentina and Wales can
jeopardise their campaign. By all
accounts, the loss to the Pumas
was a major setback.
However, the two-time world
champions will be eager to
reclaim the title they won in 2007
and plough their way back into
the world’s top three.
With the likes of Duane
Vermuelen, Pat Lambie and the
du Plessis brothers, hopefully the
Boks will regain their confidence
and momentum to do what they
know best which is tormenting
opposition on the counter.

RWC 2015 Fixtures:
19 Sept

V

26 Sept

V

03 Oct

V

07 Oct

V

Coach: Heyneke Meyer
Captain: Jean de Villiers
Union: Rugby Africa

Optimistic: Despite being plagued by injuries to some key players, Heyneke Meyer
believes that his troops will be ready for their first World Cup match against Japan on September 19. The Springboks are inarguably favourites to win the World Cup.

World Cup Squad: Jean de Villiers (c), Willem Alberts, Schalk
Brits, Schalk Burger, Lood de Jager, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie
du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, SiyaKolisi,
Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira,
Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Adriaan Strauss, Duane
Vermeulen, Damian de Allende, Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana,
Zane Kirchner, Jesse Kriel, Patrick Lambie, Willie le Roux, Lwazi
Mvovo, Rudy Paige, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Handre Pollard,
Morne Steyn.

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RWC 2015 Preview Magazine 23