'Rugby is in a very special place in SA'
The one observer’s opine was said in jest, another appraiser gave a factual reflection.
Let’s start with the ‘statement’ of a reader in the Telegraph newspaper: ‘Are three of the best teams in the world the Bok first team that stuffed England, the second team who beat Scotland, then the third team with a flyhalf who at 20 has only played an hour of top flight rugby before today [Saturday] stuffed Wales? What does the rest of the world need to do to catch up?’
Given Rassie Erasmus’ well-documented rotation policy and the extended injury list, it is, at best, a stretch to suggest it was the top three Bok teams that featured in the Nations Championship in the last three weeks.
However, his view reflects the fact that South Africa is, perhaps, except New Zealand and France, well ahead of the chasing pack in the pecking order on the global stage.
That brings me to a more irrefutable view.
Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote said his team’s achievement, to secure back-to-back World Rugby Under-20 titles, not only means everything to the team, but also to the country.
“Rugby is in a very special place in South Africa,” an elated Foote said, adding: “We are very lucky to represent them [the country].
“Right now, we’re just feeling incredibly grateful for the opportunity”.
It also points to another reality.
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With the Under-20 trophy also safely tucked away for another year, South Africa is the first rugby nation to be back-to-back champions in the senior World Cup, the junior world championship, and also the Sevens world champions!
The Springboks also made history by becoming the first team to defeat every major nation from both the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship within a 12-month period.
This historic clean sweep was completed with a 42-28 victory over Scotland in Pretoria earlier this month.
Now, let Foote’s statement sink in: “Rugby is in a very special place in South Africa.”
Yes, after three rounds in the Nations Championship, the balance of power between hemispheres remains in the balance, with the Northern and Southern Hemisphere nations sharing the honours with nine wins apiece.
France tops the Northern Hemisphere table with 12 points, while South Africa tops the Southern Hemisphere table on points difference – as both the Springboks and All Blacks conclude the Southern Hemisphere Series with three wins and all 15 points.
Four teams in the Northern Hemisphere (France, Scotland, England and Ireland) are on two wins heading into the November set of fixtures – highlighting that every point will be vital in determining the final hemisphere group rankings ahead of the Nations Championship finals weekend.
Now, back to our ‘friend’ in the Telegraph and his suggestion of the ‘three best Bok teams’.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus revealed, after the 43-0 whitewash of Wales in Durban at the weekend, that they will split their squad and rotate a bit more.
He will be sending 26 players to Argentina, while 15 or 16 players remain in South Africa to prepare for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.
Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, and Lood de Jager are all expected to travel and feature against Los Pumas.
Contrary to earlier injury fears, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has reportedly recovered from knee surgery and is likely to travel with the touring group.
Young utility back Vusi Moyo and centre Ethan Hooker are also slated to be part of the travelling contingent.
Pieter-Steph du Toit, who captained the Boks in July, will get a much-deserved break for some R&R.
Maybe, after the encounter with Los Pumas at the Estadio José Amalfitani in Buenos Aires, on August 8, our ‘friend’ in the Telegraph can add a rider.
The top four teams in the world are South Africa One, Two, Three and Four.
It actually speaks more to the incredible depth and well-refined conveyor belt that is feeding the system and ensuring the country remains at the top of the game’s totem pole.
@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com
