Former Springboks coach Jake White has backed the Springboks to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but he says even outsiders like England and Fiji will be a threat for the defending champions in France.
He says this last year has seen some incredible results.
White says when you see what Fiji, Georgia and Italy have done and even Samoa, who gave Ireland a fright last weekend.
He says South Africa will head into the tournament as the second-ranked team as World Rugby’s rankings received a major shake-up after the final round of warm-up game last week.
White says Twickenham was the scene of not one but two momentous matches less than 24 hours apart as the All Blacks suffered the worst defeat in their history to the Boks, before Fiji stunned England.
He says the record thrashing by the Boks was an ideal way for the Webb Ellis Cup holders to serve notice of their intentions ahead of a title defence when they start against Scotland in Marseille on 8th September.
The former Springboks coach says what makes sport so intriguing is that you never know what boost you’ll get from winning a game and conversely what negatives you’ll get from a heavy defeat.
He says for that reason, we’re about to find out a lot more about this current All Blacks team.
The Vodacom Bulls Rugby Director says Every Springbok fan is now super-pumped for this World Cup.
He says someone asked him whether the Boks could win the tournament? One hundred percent they can win it, but you could say that about a half a dozen teams out in France, even the outsiders, like Scotland, Australia or Wales.
White asks will they win it? Probably not, but they could.
He says look at the Wallabies, they have barely won a game in the last two years.
White adds look at England, they are bang out of form but a few bounces of the ball go their way and they’re closing in on a World Cup final.
The former Springboks coach says no one knows what to expect which is why it could be the best World Cup yet.
Source: sarugbymag.za
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