Rugby World Cup Profile – Springboks
The South African Rugby Union’s national team, commonly known as the Springboks, has been placed in Pool D of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC). The Springboks will be facing some stiff competition
from the other teams in Pool D which includes Wales, Samoa, Fiji and Namibia.
The 2011 RWC appearance will be their fifth consecutive appearance in the RWC tournament. They were banned from participating in the 1987 and 1991 RWCs. They made a strong comeback on the international
rugby scene as they won their first RWC trophy in the 1995 RWC.
Springboks are the current defending champions and share the record of the winning the rugby union’s prestigious title twice in their history. They won the 2007 title by defeating then defending
champions England in the final.
Springboks are currently ranked at third place on the international Rugby Board’s (IRB) World Ranking and qualified for the 2011 RWC spot courtesy of being ranked amongst Rugby Union’s top
12 teams.
Besides winning the two finals, Springboks have reached the semi-finals of the 1999 RWC. Four years later, the All Blacks knocked them out of the tournament after comprehensively defeating
them in quarter-finals of the tournament.
Springboks enjoyed an impressive 2009 season. However, their 2010 season and the 2011 season so far has nothing much to talk about. In 2009, they defeated the All Blacks three times. However,
in 2010 season, All Blacks returned the favour with a 3 – nil clean sweeps over the Springboks. Wallabies also join the party as they twice defeated the world champions.
Springboks had a poor 2011 Tri Nations tournament, as they finished at the bottom of the table. They lost three of their four games of the tournament. Their only win came against the second
string All Blacks side, in their last match of the season before the 2011 RWC.
Additionally, their RWC preparations are heavily dented following the injuries to number of their key players. Boks’ current squad contains many players, which were part of their 2007 World
cup-winning outfit.
Springboks' squad consists of many notable players, particularly the likes of the Victor Matfield, John Smit, Schalk Burger, Morne Steyn, Danie Rossouw, Bryan Habana and Butch James. All these
players have established the reputation of being counted as among the best players of their positions in the world.
However, they really find it hard to establish a momentum, which is required by the teams when entering into a global showpiece tournament.
JP du Randt with his 16 RWC appearances holds the Springboks record for the most number of appearances in the World Cup tournament. While Bryan Habana with his 8 tries holds the record for
the highest try scorer for the Springboks in the RWC history.
Percy Montgomery with his 111 points from 12 RWC matches, comprising of 2 tries, 22 conversions, 17 penalties, and 2 drop goals, hold the record for the highest point scorer for Springboks
in RWC tournament.
The Springboks final 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC campaign consists of,
Forwards: Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Danie Rossouw, Jannie Du Plessis, CJ
van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, John Smit (captain), Tendai Mtawarira, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Backs: Francois Steyn, Gio Aplon, Patrick Lambie, Bryan Habana, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Juan de Jongh, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Morne Steyn, Fourie
du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Ruan Pienaar.
Springboks have the players and experience to deliver them their third title win. However, their preparations and recent form presents a different picture. They will start their 2011 RWC campaign
against the Wales and will face stiff competition from Fiji and Samoa.
Besides this, defending the champions are favourites to reach the semi-final stage, with a possibility to lock horn with the All Blacks. However, defeating the All Blacks in the semi-finals
on their home turf will be the final frontier for the defending champions to lift the title for the record third time.
http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-pool-d/south-africa-4143397
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