Rugby World Cup Preview - South Africa

South Africa - The Springboks

The might of the Springboks head to France with what is one of the strongest teams in the rainbow nations history. Like all nations bar the All Blacks, they do not head to this Rugby World Cup with a impressive recent record, but they do boast the most abrasive pack in world rugby - and a team littered with class.

Their strong year, was highlighted by their most significant Super 14; in which they provided the two finalists, with the Bulls emerging first time South African champions. Controversy and boardroom brawling was created by Jake Whites decision to rest his first choice players for the away legs of the Tri Nations, yet over 2005 and 2006 they were the only team to beat the All Blacks in this period.

Since Rugby World Cup 2003...

South Africa suffered a early exit at the last World Cup, meeting a All Blacks team that reserved their best performance in that tournament for their old foes. Solid years followed in 2004 and 2005, although these periods still earn't the Boks some criticism, more for their one dimensional play. Consistent losses to New Zealand, France, Ireland and Australia were more often than not due to better tactics by their opposition teams. Indeed, all four of these nations hold at least a 50/50 ledger against the Boks.

2006 was a horror year for South Africa. While they were able to record a narrow 21-20 victory over the All Blacks, they suffered seven losses, including a 49-0 mauling at the hands of the Wallabies. Jake White endured much criticism especially from his own country in this period, again for his gameplans, and also his selections. The Springbok captain John Smit was also under immense pressure, and South Africa were not sitting pretty less than 12 months from the games showpiece in France.

Enter 2007, where despite 3 losses, the Springboks head to France with a very strong team and seem to have discovered the brutal forward orientated defensive gameplan that suits them so well. However, with their backline (off the cuff of their Super 14 teams) adding much needed sting to their strong set piece platform - and former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones headed to France in South African colours, they are set to launch a strong assault on RWC 2007.

Strengths

The Boks most dominant weapon over the past few years has been their physicality. A brutal approach to the game which is best exampled in their All Black encounters, where the natural flowing finesse style game of New Zealand has been upset by the in your face approach.

This has been complimented by a strong pack - with the big Springbok forwards able on their day to match it with any other eight in world rugby. This has always been matched with a solid scrummaging unit - and probably their strongest forward weapon, the lineout. Victor Matfield is widely acknowledged as the worlds premier "lineout forward". With his ability to marshal his pods so quickly gives the Boks attacking advantage every lineout.

Defensively the Boks have always been strong. But they traditionally employ a classic style rush defence. When on song this unique defensive structure can cause massive problems to the opposing teams, especially at half back and first reciever. While ill discipline with the brutality of this approach has caused problems, this in itself is a advantage as the opposition attack can doubt itself when able to be shut down so aggressively.

While traditionalists of the forward style power game, their back line cannot be discounted. Their three quarter line is the match of any in world rugby. Bryan Habana remains the greatest attacking wing going around, and would be a automatic selection in most world XV's. At his most dangerous, he is a single element which teams will plan against - and at he remains the best pass interceptor in the world. The ageless Percy Montgomery has re-emerged in 2007, and his positional play and excellent boot will be vital in the Springboks chances later this year.

Central to their back line link to their powerful forward pack is half back, the position in which lies realistically South Africa greatest depth. Fourie du preez is one of the most complete half backs in the world, and the emergence of the young Ruan Pienaar adds more depth to this vital position. Forward dominance counts for little without quick service from the base of a scrum or ruck, and this will be a strong asset for the Boks.

Weaknesses

Their great weakness has ironically been connected with their great strength. A team often labelled one dimensional, match their physicality or pass/kick behind their defense would be the first mantras uttered my most opposition coaches.

Their lineout is their only non-weakness in the forwards - but the Boks have been outscrummaged by even the maligned Wallaby pack. There is often to much insistence on sheer size, which has shown in recent matches to be a weakness, as more mobile and fitter forward packs have lasted the full 80 minutes.

Jake White also insists that a specialist "fetcher" at number 7 is not required and often ignores the South Africans best specialist flankers, namely Luke Watson. This has also caused consternation in their most recent losses, with specialists such as McCaw, Smith and Nyanga creating great problems in the loose. The ruck area is such a crucial one in the modern game, and winning or forcing rucks are not all about brute force.

The most glaring weakness when compared with all major playing nations at the world cup is at the most crucial, first five or flyhalf. Carter, Larkham, O'Gara, Jones, Michelak, Contemponi and Wilkinson - all of South Africas major competitors have class number 10's with games suited to this pivot position.

Take nothing away from Butch James, Andre Pretorius or Derek Hougaard. But none of them possess the all round game neccessary of a world class first reciever. Their first choice seems to be Butch James, but while brutal in defence, he possesses neither the finesse or the kicking game should it be required. Same with Andre or Derek, whom do possesse some panache with those catagories, but are not the backline generals that their international contemparies are.

This will be a considerable problem, if crunch games encounter fickle european weather. Especially when a traditionalist style forward game or "ten man rugby" requires a solid flyhalf. Such games are often won by the best kicking team, and only by bringing their best full back Monty into the kicking role could this be countered.

While South Africa also has solid depth as evidenced by the Super 14, this year has shown that even strong South Africa "B teams" do not possess anywhere near the same class as a full strength SpringBok XV. Matfield, Burger, Smit, Habana and Montgomery must be playing if the Africans are to win this world cup.

By James Mortimer