Springbok coach, Peter de Villiers
Rugby World Cup hosts New Zealand will be defending champions South Africa’s biggest obstacle at the Rugby World cup according to Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.
The All Blacks have lost their last two matches in succession and pressure is building on the All Blacks to win their first world cup in 24 years.
The All Blacks fielded a second string team against the Springboks and were beaten 18-5 before losing 25-20 with a full strength team to Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, a win which gave the Wallabies the Tri-Nations title.
Bok coach De Villiers says that the pressure is on the hosts and when the world cup is on the pressure will be immense.
The All Blacks open the tournament on Sept 9 against Tonga, and De Villiers said: “Nothing has changed.”
“To beat New Zealand in New Zealand will still be very tough and they are still the favourites for the World Cup.
“But if the pressure in New Zealand gets to their team, then it may affect the way they play,” he told Reuters.
The Sprinboks have a tough route to go through if they are to face Wales as they are pooled with Samoa, Fiji and Wales who they open their world cup campaign against on September the 11th.
Stating the obvious?
Am not really sure why there has been so much talk lately about how tough Wales are going to be? Think they have a few injuries, especially in the front row and don’t seem to have a settled backline, who of Jones or Hook are considered first choice flyhalf. I think Hook is way better, behind these two you have quite inexperienced Priestland. The little that I have seen of new captain Warburton has impressed, he looks like a good strong player. Aside from the usual big name players Roberts, Phillips Shane Williams etc I think George North is good and one that will have to be watched closely by Springboks defence. But all in all I feel their is far more quality in the Boks squad than the Welsh.
Maybe not really relevant to the topic but its good to be able to say that Scotland have risen back up to 7th on the World Rankings
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