New Zealand captain Scott Barrett says the All Blacks are not intimidated by the prospect of facing South Africa in the 2027 Rugby World Cup quarter finals but has stressed the importance of peaking at the right time.
Scott says the two rugby powerhouses, ranked number one and number two in the world, could meet in a blockbuster last-eight clash if both top their pools and advance past the round of 16.
He adds that the Springboks, who are aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title, were drawn with Italy, Georgia and Romania, while the All Blacks face hosts Australia, Chile and tournament debutants Hong Kong.
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has warned against complacency, highlighting the need for his team to be mentally and physically prepared for every match.
The Springboks hold a psychological advantage after narrowly defeating New Zealand 12-11 in the 2023 World Cup final.
He says that looking ahead, New Zealand will tour South Africa in 2026 for a rare traditional test series, the first in 30 years, playing three tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town, plus a fourth at a neutral venue.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson says a potential quarterfinal against South Africa would be “just another time” to have a crack at delivering a World Cup-winning performance.
Before that, New Zealand must first overcome Australia to top their pool, with a potential opening match at Perth Stadium expected to be a special occasion, particularly for Kiwi fans.
The full 2027 Rugby World Cup fixture list will be unveiled on 3rd February.
Source: Super Sports
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