Champs set for Welsh RWC 2011 challenge
December 2nd, 2008
Champs set for Welsh RWC challenge
The Springboks have drawn Wales and Fiji in Pool D of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
South Africa were expected to play Wales in the 2007 quarter-final, but a thrilling Pool B decider between the Dragons and Fiji ultimately saw the islanders advance. The Boks were tested by Fiji in the knockout fixture, and it was a try-saving tackle by JP Pietersen that allowed them to repel a determined Fijian attack and eventually wrest back the initiative.
Wales are currently the Six Nations champions and on present form look likely to retain the title in 2009. They are still some way off matching the Boks, and given that Peter de Villiers’s charges will improve over the next two years, South Africa should feel confident about topping this pool. The other two Pool D candidates are likely to be Samoa and Namibia, but the World Cup qualifiers are yet to run their course.
Bok captain John Smit believes South Africa won’t have an easy ride in the pool stages of this tournament.
“Last time we were drawn against the top team from Britain – which was then England – and this time we have been drawn against Wales who are the Six Nations champions,” said Smit.
“We also played two teams from the Pacific Islands and this time we have Fiji and an Oceania qualifier, which is very likely to be Samoa. The draw has a similar feel to last time and the good thing is that we will be well tested during the competition.
“You don’t want to breeze through your pool and we certainly won’t have that luxury.”
Coach Peter de Villiers was in London with Smit for the draw, and reinforced his captain’s statement.
“It’s a tough draw and it will be a very physical pool, but I’m happy with the draw,” said De Villiers. “We’ll be monitoring these nations’ progress over the coming months but we know what they are capable of when they are on song.
“Wales will only go from strength to strength and we know the Pacific Islands produce outstanding players. We only have to look back to last year’s World Cup to know what a threat they can pose.”
Pool A sees New Zealand and France vying for the premier position in a rematch of the 2007 quarter-final at the Millennium Stadium. Tonga will earn a respectable third-placed pool finish yet again, presumably ahead of Canada and Japan, likely candidates to occupy Americas 1 and Asia 1’s Pool A slots.
Pool B is not quite a ‘Pool of Death’ but will see an interesting scrap between Argentina, England and Scotland for knockout places. Pool C is potentially tougher as it contains Australia and Ireland, and if Italy raise their game they could be a force.
POOL A
New Zealand
France
Tonga
Americas 1
Asia 1
POOL B
Argentina
England
Scotland
Europe 1
Play-off winner
POOL C
Australia
Ireland
Italy
Europe 2
Americas 2
POOL D
South Africa
Wales
Fiji
Oceania 1
Africa 1
Source : keo.co.za
