The 2023 Rugby World Cup in France will get underway on Friday and South Africa will head into the much-anticipated tournament looking to successfully defend their title.
The Springboks are the reigning champions, having won the Webb Ellis trophy – their third – back in 2019 in Japan, where they defeated England in the final. The best rugby playing nations in the world are now eyeing the trophy, hoping to dethrone Jacques Nienaber’s men.
The quadrennial tournament is scheduled to take place in nine venues across France starting from this Friday and concluding on October 28.
Although they are the defending champions, the Springboks go into the tournament as a dark horse of sorts, but undeniably a strong contender.
They are ranked second in the world behind Ireland but seem to be peaking at the right time, with their emphatic win over New Zealand in their final warm up match last week.
But their title is under threat, with 20 teams hoping to take it away from them, putting a massive target on the Springboks’ backs. A number of nations outside of the traditional rugby powers are developing quickly, making this edition potentially the most unpredictable and exciting yet.
Sunday World looks at five nations that will pose a threat to the Springboks’ title defence hopes in France.
Ireland:
The Irish head into the competition as the best team in the world as far as the rankings are concerned and they are currently unbeaten in over a year.
The current team is tipped to make history this year and is largely considered the best Irish side ever to contest a rugby world cup.
Johnny Sexton, their trusted flyhalf and inspirational captain, will look to play a big role in the team’s success in the world cup with support from the likes of Caelan Doris and Dan Sheehan.
France:
As the hosts, the pressure will firmly be on France to deliver on home soil in front of their supporters when the tournament gets underway.
The French are widely considered the greatest rugby nation never to win a world cup, despite reaching three finals and they will be out to correct that.
The growth of their rugby has been as a result of having some of the best players from around plying their trade in France over the last few years.
They have the best club league in the world and that has seen them produce a new generation of brilliant players led by Antoine Dupont.
In the absence of the match-winning Romain Ntamack, a certain Charles Ollivon will have a significant role to play for France with his leadership qualities.
New Zealand:
New Zealand might not be heading into the tournament in the best of form but they can never be counted out and remain among the favourites to win a record-breaking fourth rugby world cup.
They were on the receiving end of a record defeat at the hands of current holders South Africa a few weeks ago and that must still be hurting the proud rugby-playing nation.
They are the most successful nation in the competition’s history and will be hoping to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy for the fourth time this year, with not many betting against them.
Scotland:
The Scots have been drawn alongside the top-ranked sides in world rugby, Ireland and South Africa, but they will still fancy their chances.
They head into the rugby world cup high in confidence, having beaten the likes of England, Wales and France this year, showing they can hold their own against the top sides.
Former captain and hooker Stuart McInally, prop Murphy Walker, back-rower Josh Bayliss and scrum half Jamie Dobie will be among their key players.
England:
The 2019 runners-up have not been particularly on top form heading into the tournament but they have proven before that they can turn it on in the business end. They are regarded as rank outsiders for this year’s world cup after a fourth-place finish in the most recent Six Nations Championship with two victories and three losses.
Their poor showing heading into the competition means there won’t be any pressure on them despite finishing second in the last edition to South Africa.
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