I believe the South Africans are speaking too soon. Their game is still too one dimensional based around defence and forward play AND they are not so dominate in some key areas such as the lineout and scrum - they could suffer lack of ball, meaning lack of opportunity and lack of idea to counter more "all round" teams such as NZ, Aust, Ireland. The best thing can do? Improve their defensive turnover to get more opportunity from their massive defence- Their game against the English forwards will tell much. SA are at the top of their forward game - it wont improve, they have to change

When the AB's were beaten by 1 point in SA last year, some made a big deal about it. But that AB side in that game "were out too lunch"! it was reported they were holidaying the days prior to the game. Complacency is what could kill the AB's at RWC

I also have a feeling that Butch James might be the tipping point either way for the Boks. I cant use the word 'stellar' in relation to him because he just isn't. Carter, Larkham and the supposedly 'reborn' wilkinson are streets ahead. if the rest of the team play well and he keeps his head they might get there. if he doesn't they are gone burgers...

If SA could open their game, get fast turnover ball at the breakdown to set their backs away, or send their lossies away to link with their big driving forwards and maintain their brutal forward set piece play it would be awesome - I reckon at the moment they stop start too much, loose momentum and under utilise the skills of the backs, also their current forwards don't have the true edge over the other big teams so they will loose advantage there. Maybe they can win a close one by the boot but don't see them winning the WC this time.

You get the feeling the Springboks rely on the opposition making mistakes rather than creating any chances themselves. They kick penalty goals and score from intercepts. You get the feeling they may struggle if the opposition aren't making many mistakes. I believe they have a quality forward pack which will miss Spies, but outside their fast running halves they struggle to create the tries of their rivals. There are some individually quality players like Bryan Habana, the experienced Percy Montgomery and the young talent of Waylon Murray, Jean De Villiers and Jacque Fourie in midfield, but they don't seem to string tries together against the top sides. Individually dangerous backs who struggle to gel.

Until the Bok centres are able to break the defensive lines they will encounter and remember that they have speedy wings alongside them I see little hope of the Boks making a mark at this world cup

Your assessment relies on Butch James playing a pivotal role. Not the case. Yes, he is a key figure (Butch by name, butch by nature) but south Africa have 3 scrum halfs, most notably Fourie Du Preez, although returing from a long period out, who will control the games with, Berger, Bobby, and Pierre Spies (Just been ruled back in after a 3rd opinion on his injury) keeping the game going forward around the scrums and breakdowns. SA will rely on their defence to tire the opposition and then use the quick men on the wings to close out the game in the final quarter. Boks will make the final to face Ireland.

Can't see SA getting the forward domination they need to dominate the best teams, defence alone wont be enough at RWC. The best teams will score points against them and will also hold SA away from the attack zone for much of the game and because the team lack attack penetration they wont score the points to win the RWC