The might of the Springboks head to France with one of the strongest teams in the rainbow nation's history. Like all nations bar the All Blacks, they go into this Rugby World Cup with an unimpressive recent record, but they do boast the most abrasive pack in world rugby - and a team littered with class.

Their strong year was highlighted by their most significant Super 14; in which they provided the two finalists, with the Bulls emerging as the first champions from South Africa. Controversy and boardroom brawling was created by coach Jake White's decision to rest his first-choice players for the away legs of the Tri-Nations, yet over 2005 and 2006 they were the only team to beat the All Blacks.

Since Rugby World Cup 2003...
South Africa suffered an early exit at the last World Cup, meeting an All Blacks team who reserved their best performance for their old foes. Solid years followed in 2004 and 2005, but the Boks still earned some criticism, more for their one-dimensional play. Consistent losses to New Zealand, France, Ireland and Australia were more often than not due to better tactics by the opposition. Indeed, all four of these nations hold at least a 50/50 ledger against the South Africans.

'While brutal in defence, James possesses neither the finesse or the kicking game, should it be required'


Last year was a horror 12 months for South Africa. While they recorded a narrow 21-20 victory over the All Blacks, they suffered seven losses, including a 49-0 mauling at the hands of the Wallabies. White endured much criticism for his game plans and also his selections. Captain John Smit was also under immense pressure less than 12 months from the World Cup.

Despite three losses in 2007, the Springboks head to France with a very strong team and seem to have developed the brutal forward orientated defensive game plan that suits them so well. However, with their backline (off the cuff of their Super 14 teams) adding much-needed sting to their strong set-piece platform - and former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones heading to France in South African colours - they are set to launch a strong assault on RWC 2007.

Strengths
The Boks' most dominant weapon over the past few years has been their physicality. It's a brutal approach best exampled in their All Black encounters, where the natural flowing style of New Zealand has been upset by the in-your-face approach.

This has been complimented by a big, strong pack who on their day can match any other eight in world rugby. Their scrummaging is probably their strongest forward weapon, while Victor Matfield is widely acknowledged as the world's premier lineout forward. His ability to marshal his pods so quickly gives the Boks attacking advantage at every lineout.

Defensively, South Africa have always been strong. But they traditionally employ a classic-style rush defence which can cause massive problems to opposing teams, especially at half-back and first receiver. The brutality of this approach has caused problems with ill-discipline, but can also cause opposition attacks to doubt thmselves when they can be shut down so aggressively.

While traditionalists of the forward-style power game, their back line cannot be discounted. Their three-quarter line is a match of any in world rugby. Bryan Habana remains the greatest attacking wing around, and would be a automatic selection in most world XV's. He is a single element which teams will plan against - and is the best pass interceptor in the world. The ageless Percy Montgomery has re-emerged in 2007, and his positional play and excellent boot will be vital in France.

Fourie du Preez is one of the world's most complete scrum-halves, and the emergence of the young Ruan Pienaar adds more depth to this vital position. Forward dominance counts for little without quick service from the base of a scrum or ruck, and this will be a strong asset for the Boks.

Weaknesses
Their great weakness has ironically been connected with their great strength. A team often labelled one-dimensional, the first mantras uttered my most opposition coaches would be to match the Springboks' physicality or pass/kick behind their defence.

In the forwards, their lineout is their only non-weakness and the Boks have been outscrummaged by even the maligned Wallaby pack. The insistence on sheer size has shown in recent matches to be a weakness, as more mobile and fitter packs have lasted the full 80 minutes.

White also insists that a specialist 'fetcher' at No.7 is not required and often ignores his best specialist flanker, namely Luke Watson. This has also caused consternation in their most recent losses, with specialists such as Richie McCaw, George Smith and Yannick Nyanga creating great problems in the loose. The ruck area is such a crucial one in the modern game, and winning or forcing rucks are not all about brute force.

The most glaring weakness compared with other major nations is at first-five or fly-half. Dan Carter, Stephen Larkham, Ronan O'Gara, Stephen Jones, Frederic Michalak, Felipe Contemponi and Jonny Wilkinson - all of South Africa's major competitors have class No.10s with games suited to this pivot position.

Take nothing away from Butch James, Andre Pretorius or Derick Hougaard, but none of them possess the all-round game necessary of a world-class first receiver. Their first choice seems to be James, but while brutal in defence, he possesses neither the finesse or the kicking game, should it be required. Same with the other two, who do possess some panache, but are not the backline generals their international contemporaries are.

This will be a considerable problem, if crunch games encounter fickle European weather. Especially when a forward-orientated  game or 'ten-man rugby' requires a solid fly-half. Such games are often won by the better kicking team, and only by bringing their best full-back. Montgomery, into the kicking role can this be countered.

While South Africa also have solid depth, as evidenced by the Super 14, this year has shown that even strong 'B' teams do not possess anywhere near the same class as a full-strength Springbok XV. Matfield, Schalk Burger, Smit, Habana and Montgomery must be playing if the Africans are to win this World Cup.