Boks primed for ‘game-changer’ Cup
Exactly one year from the start of Rugby World Cup 2019‚ Japan’s organisation is on track after early problems‚ which prompted a public rebuke from World Rugby in 2017.
The Springboks‚ in the doldrums at the time‚ also appear to be on track for the tournament a year from now, following their historic and unexpected 36-34 win over the All Blacks in Wellington last week.
In 2017‚ at about the time World Rugby were fretting about Japan’s readiness‚ specifi- cally the construction of training venues‚ the Boks were reeling from a loss to Italy and suffering record defeats against the All Blacks and slipping to No 7 on the world rankings.
The Springboks are back up to No 5 and have a chance to improve their ranking as they prepare for another assault on the World Cup.
The Boks are in Pool B, and their opening game is against reigning champions New Zealand in Yokohama.
Last week’s win is a huge boost a year out from a clash in which victory was‚ until a week ago‚ seen as a formality for the All Blacks.
World Rugby chair Bill Beaumont said he believed Japan 2019 would be “a very special and game-changing Rugby World Cup” as the year to go milestone was marked with a series of celebrations across the host nation.
On September 20 2019 the world’s top 20 teams‚ supported by 1.8 million fans in stadiums and a global audience of hundreds of millions‚ will begin their quest to lift the most coveted trophy in rugby‚ the Webb Ellis Cup.
“World Rugby selected Japan as we believed in the tremendous opportunity to further the sport across Asia.
“We are confident that Japan 2019 will be a successful and game-changing Rugby World Cup‚” Beaumont said.
So far‚ 19 of the 20 teams taking part have been confirmed, with Canada‚ Hong Kong‚ Germany and Kenya set to compete for the final available spot via a repechage (heat) in Marseille in November 2018.
The winners will join champions New Zealand‚ South Africa‚ Italy and Namibia in Pool B.
On September 20 2019 the world’s top 20 teams‚ supported by 1.8 million fans in stadiums and a global audience of hundreds of millions‚ will begin their quest to lift the most coveted trophy in rugby‚ the Webb Ellis Cup