Springboks' John Smit hopeful team will get rhythm back: Rugby World 2011
Springboks skipper, John Smit, is hoping that his side will get back their lost rhythm before the Rugby World Cup 2011, especially when their frontline players are back in the side. The South Africans have been suffering from huge injuries and are passing
through their lowest ebb in the absence of 21 key players. Talking to reporters on August 8, Smit said that Springboks critics have always undermined his side but they have got the ability to surprise them.
They have perceived two huge defeats in the opening matches of Tri-Nations Cup 2011 against Wallabies and All Blacks during last month. However, John Smit was hopeful that with the return of some experience in their team they can repeat history.
South Africa won the last Rugby World Cup quite surprisingly as they came from nothing to winit all. The skipper told the media that seasoned players can lift the struggling Boks and if the Rugby World Cup 2007 winning players are included in the side, South
Africa can defend the title successfully.
Supporting his point, John Smit said that, “In 2009, we realised that almost the whole team could go on to the next World Cup and, even though we would be four years on from the 2007 World Cup, most of our players would still be under 30. South Africa's
opposition traditionally regard them as Neanderthals, incapable of forward thinking, and our local supporters tend to agree.”
The skipper further said that it has become a global trend to criticise the crisis hit side and his squad is facing a similar kind of situation. He shifted his conversation and said that, “And long may the global trend of underestimating the cerebral capacity
of the Springboks to continue, the coaching staff will be saying to themselves as they tie the bow on a World Cup.”
The South African side is currently placed third in the IRB rankings, however, two giant defeats in the Tri-Nations Cup have put a big question mark on their capability of defending the forthcoming Rugby World Cup 2011. RWC 2011 is just one month away and
the Boks are required to make big decisions regarding their final squad for the global show. Springboks are left with two tests before going into Webb Ellis Trophy, being played in New Zealand from September 9.
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