Boks to shake the world
South Africa’s superb revival over the past 15 months has taken them from one of their lowest periods to genuine Rugby World Cup contenders as they chase a third global title in Japan.
After picking up a bronze medal in England four years ago, the Boks won only 11 of their next 25 Tests, including a first loss to mid-tier Italy and a record 57-0 humiliation by New Zealand.
They were one-dimensional, lacking in intensity and seemingly directionless under former coach Allister Coetzee, with concerns over the individual skills of players and their ability to implement a successful game-plan.
Rassie Erasmus took over the side in March 2018 after being installed as Director of Rugby and the upswing in fortunes has been dramatic.
A home-series win over England was followed by an away success against New Zealand in Wellington and finally the Rugby Championship crown for the first time in a decade as the Boks head to the World Cup unbeaten this year.
Whereas at the end of 2017 there was a real sense of a lack of quality available, Erasmus was challenged over who to leave out from his World Cup squad of 31, and his final group has been met with universal approval from the demanding media and supporters of the side.
He can select world-class frontrows on both the pitch and the bench, has four locks who could start without lowering the quality, and options in an array of loose-forwards to suit different styles of play.
There are three excellent scrumhalves, while Handre Pollard is a key figure at flyhalf and runs the game for the Boks, though his deputy Elton Jantjies can blow hot and cold and needs his pack to be on the front foot to be effective.
There is solidity in the centres and 2007 World Cup winner Frans Steyn provides a monster boot as well as plenty of muscle in the midfield, and the back three has the pace and trickery to exploit the spaces on the pitch.
There is no doubt that this Bok side can beat any other side in Japan, but the question remains whether they can put in three strong performances in a row from the quarterfinals onwards to lift the cup.
The Boks open their campaign against defending champions New Zealand in Yokohama on September 21 and will also play comparative minnows Italy, Namibia and Canada in their other Pool B games.