Rugby Special Report: The South African Rugby team, Springboks struggling hard to chase All Blacks
The current South African Rugby Union is called Springboks. South African Rugby Union came into being in 1992, and right after the inception the union had to face a number of challenges.
The racial riots or the apartheid, which continued up to almost eight years, effected the development of the Rugby adversely. The corruption among the top leadership of the team was another great hurdle in the way to its development.
However, with the course of time, the team recovered itself from its deep depression. Springboks are today considered to be amongst the top ranking teams of the world. The team which lost many matches to the Australians at the start has now been able to supersede them in case of many international competitions.
Till 2003, the Springboks were trembling in balance because of their deteriorated situation, i.e. they had to face a number of problems; the corruption of the leaders; the scandal of the Kamp Staldraad the 2003 debacle etc.
Despite of all of these problems, the South African union never gave up hope, they worked hard and managed to maintain its second position in the world among the top ranking team of the International Rugby Unions.
All Blacks have been considered to be the champions of the International Rugby for the last two decades. During the last fourteen to fifteen years they are dominating the world of Rugby in every respect and no one has been able to so far challenge them or supersede them. All Blacks have been able to win almost all the matches they have played during the last two decades. So in short, we can say they are occupying the top position of the international Rugby union.
Although like others, the South Africans have also not been able to chase the overwhelming New Zealand team so far, but if we look back at the history, it is crystal clear that South Africans are the closest competitors of All Blacks. In Tri Nations, it is the South Africans who always occupy the second position. They have at times surprisingly superseded the mighty New Zealand team even. Such has been the case in 1998 and 2005, where South Africa has defeated New Zealand.
The South African team recovered itself to a great extent, especially after the debacle of 2003 world cup, where they dropped out at the quarter final level of the tournament. This was of course a shocking moment for the South Africans. The coach Rudolf Straeuli of the union had to resign after this incident. Just after taking the charge, the new coach took certain measures and made certain reforms in the team. These reforms proved to be helpful and it lifted up the team to a desirable position in the world of international Rugby.
The world cup 2011 is going to be held in Northland, New Zealand next year, where around twenty countries are going to participate. It will start in the month of September and take six weeks to be completed. There a number of top ranking countries like New Zealand, Australia, France, and Ireland. They are going to present a tough challenge to the All the black, the champions of the last two decades. But if we look back at the recent history of the South African team, we can realize the fact that, they are the closest competitor of the New Zealand team. Similarly they are the second in ranking to the New Zealand team according to the world ranking list of IRB (International Rugby Board). During the recent year’s competition it is the springboks, only who have been presenting challenge to All Blacks.
So, we can say that the South African team, who had been through difficult circumstances throughout their career, has never given up hope. But have been struggling hard to survive the challenges. The team has always been in constant struggle to supersede the mighty New Zealand team. Their hard work has helped them achieve the top ranking positions of the international Rugby teams. Especially after the debacle of the 2003, and the retirement of the coach, the team has strengthened itself so much that, some quarter are compelled to think that the team may supersede the New Zealand team, in the upcoming Rugby world cup, which is going to be held in new Zealand next year.
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