EDITORIAL | Too close to call, but Boks have World Cup pedigree

The way in which South Africa and Ireland departed Japan four years ago could not have been more different.

Ireland had to beat a hasty retreat after they were again stunned in the quarterfinals, this time by New Zealand. They were hammered 46-14 by a rampant All Blacks team who didn’t just beat the world's top-ranked team going into the tournament but had firmly taken hold of the favourites tag in doing so.

It was a crushing defeat for Ireland who had made steady progress under their Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt. They had become the top-ranked team in the world and had beaten all rugby’s big guns to get there. Crucially, however, when it mattered most they misfired.

The Boks, by contrast, had been living on the edge since their opening weekend defeat to New Zealand.

They, however, had grown, most notably in belief. They beat England in a one-sided final and laid South African hands on the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time.

In many ways, though, the similarities between the Boks and Ireland don’t end with their clash of traditional jerseys.

Their three warm-up Tests, as well as their first two in the RWC, have served notice that they mean business.

In many ways, though, the similarities between the Boks and Ireland don’t end with their clash of traditional jerseys.

Bok head coach Jacques Nienaber noted South Africa and Ireland are well matched and both boast good experience, as well as cool, calm heads.

The teams are yet to meet at the RWC but their first-up clash looks destined to bookmark their rivalry.

While Ireland flew home under a cloud in 2019, the wind beneath the Boks’ wings carried the promise of so much hope in the Rainbow Nation.

Ireland have under Andy Farrell, who took over from Schmidt, improved and become a remarkably consistent team. A first-ever series win in New Zealand last year was followed by a Grand Slam in the Six Nations this year. They came into this RWC as perhaps more realistic contenders than in the previous instalment.

The Springboks have taken some knocks over the last four years. The Covid-19 pandemic robbed them of game time in 2020 and they quickly had to build depth across the three years leading into this RWC. That came with dips in performance as continuity was sacrificed at the altar of building squad depth.

Once the mixing and matching ceased and all the component parts were assembled, the Boks looked an imposing team.