RIVALRY: Boks are the biggest threat to All Blacks' World Cup record
SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks could add another impeccable record to their rich history when they defend their World Cup title in France later this year.
The Boks head to the World Cup as one of the favourites for the prestigious title.
The side will face tough competition in the form of New Zealand, France, Ireland, England and Australia who are all regarded as contenders.
The South Africans are grouped with Ireland, Scotland, Tonga and Romania in Pool B.
They will open their World Cup campaign against Scotland on September 10 at the Stade de Marseille, followed by a match against Romania on September 17.
The Boks’ biggest challenge will occur six days later against the world No.1 ranked side Ireland on September 23 and conclude their group stages against Tonga on September 30.
Should the Springboks survive the Pool stages they will take on either the winners or runners-up of Pool A, which consists of New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay and Namibia.
This means that the Springboks could face their biggest rivals the All Blacks in the quarterfinals.
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The two teams have dominated the prestigious event – sharing six titles between them.
In 2019 when the Springboks won the title they became one of two teams to have lifted the trophy three times – the other team the All Blacks.
There is certainly no love lost between the two sides.
The sides have met five times in World Cup games and the 2019 All Blacks win was the first time they had met in pool play.
In 1995 their first Cup contest was the celebrated Final won by South Africa in extra time from a Joel Stransky dropped goal.
In 1999 they played off for third and fourth where the South Africans won the first at Twickenham, 22-18, while in 2003 the All Blacks ended South Africa’s campaign in the quarterfinals with a 29-9 win in Sydney.
Their other game was the 2015 semifinal at Twickenham, won by New Zealand 20-18
This year the rivalry will be taken to the next level as both teams are fighting for their historic fourth World Cup trophy.
A win for the Boks could also mean that they will become the second team in history to secure back-to-back titles.
New Zealand still holds the record for two consecutive wins when they were crowned champions in 2011 and 2015.
The two teams will face each twice before the 2023 World Cup.
New Zealand will host South Africa during the Rugby Championship Test on July 15 before they face each other in a World Cup preparations match on August 25 at Twickenham in London.
