Beast Mtawarira has seen the tides shift north ahead of the Rugby World Cup that kicks off in Paris on Friday.
The southern currents have run strong with eight of the nine World Cups washing up this side of the equator. Though three-time finalists France meet the three-time winners the All Blacks, it is the home side that goes into the much-anticipated match with more momentum.
France boast impressive form at home and along with Ireland have been the most consistent Test team since the last World Cup. They have both laid their hands on the Six Nations crown over the past two years and have ranked in the top two in the world over the past few years.
To be fair, Mtawarira is not the only one with a lofty view of Ireland and France's prospects.
“I think the tide has definitely changed. I have seen a lot of improvement from the northern-hemisphere sides, specifically Ireland and France. I don't know about England!” said Mtawarira on a Rugby World Cup podcast.
While stronger currents have prevailed in Ireland and France, England and Wales have been up the creek of late. Neither will go into the competition with form, but England have proved adept at punching above their weight, much like the Boks, when they have their backs to the wall. Whether they can summon that bulldog spirit under Steve Borthwick remains to be seen.
Ireland though have a few demons to overcome, most significantly making it beyond the quarterfinals for the first time.
“I believe Ireland have learnt their lessons. Everyone speaks about them always choking at the World Cup, so I'm sure it will play a key role in motivating them to really perform and Andy Farrell is a special coach.
“He has brought in something new and different. The way they are playing right now, I don't see them getting knocked out, I think they will go all the way.”
Of course Mtawarira is not writing off the Springboks, whose form has been foreboding in the past month or so.
“I think the northern hemisphere is much better, but I certainly hope South Africa are going to win a fourth one. But if not, I am backing the French to win on home soil.”
Mtawarira believes the Boks have in their director of rugby Rassie Erasmus a man who will break with convention if he needs to. He called Erasmus a disrupter. “He is the kind of guy who comes into an environment and shakes the tree,” opined the World Cup-winning prop from 2019.
“That is what he did with the Springboks. When things were going pear-shaped in 2016 and 2017, he had that outside-in look because he was based in Ireland at the time and he saw all these things that weren't going well. Beyond the field of play, our structures and the environment of South African franchises to help the Springboks be successful. So he is very intelligent in his approach.
“He is very good at analysing opposition. Before we faced any opposition at the World Cup, we knew exactly what they were going to bring, so he is very good at thinking ahead.”
He said Erasmus is not scared to go against the grain and it leaves some uncomfortable.
“You know he is going to take the heat, and he is not going to allow anyone to target the players. He will say that and say, 'I will put my backside out there and I don't mind taking the shots as long as you guys are in a better place'.”
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