VIDEO: Why Boks will be even better in 2027
South Africa has been World Cup holders for 1782 days and ranked No.1 in the world since October 16 last year – 48 weeks.
However, they are well-placed to be in an even better position when they defend their title in Australia from October 1 to November 13, 2027.
Yes, it is still another three years away – a long time.
However, for the first time in more than a decade, Rassie Erasmus has a full four-year cycle and some of his dry runs have been in the clover.
Veteran flyhalf and two-time World Cup winner Handré Pollard is in a perfect position to assess the state of the Springbok nation.
Speaking ahead of the Rugby Championship crunch match against Argentina at Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, in Santiago del Estero, on Saturday, Pollard explained that they finally have an entire four-year cycle to build to the next World Cup – 2027.
Rassie Erasmus only took over as coach in 2018, 18 months before the 2019 win – having to do en emergency job, with the Boks ranked a lowly seventh.
COVID put a spanner in the works in the 2020 to 2023 cycle.
“The first two years [of a World Cup cycle] is when you build, experiment and try new things,” Pollard said.
“You can see in it our game – with Tony [Brown] and Jerry [Flannery] coming in.
“It is really exciting and every week is a new challenge.
“There is a bigger plan and picture, going forward.”
He said the ‘young guys’ coming through makes the Boks a good blend.
“It excites us, because we are in a good spot,” Pollard said, adding: “We always want to become better and strive to go up another level.
(WATCH as veteran flyhalf Handré Pollard explains how the Springbok team is becoming a better version of itself….)
The 30-year-old flyhalf quipped that he is not ‘old enough’ to be a mentor yet, but said he enjoys working with the younger players – like Manie Libbok (27) and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (22).
“They are eager to learn, which is nice.
“When we were young [the older] guys helped us.
“The good thing is there is healthy competition in the group – in every position.
“We all have the same goal and it [goal] is bigger than the individual.
“If we can help the young guys with one or two things, then it is great.
“We are certainly learning a lot from them as well.
“You always try and develop, stay fresh and try new things.
“It is enjoyable, competitive and really good.”
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