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South Africa 2011 Rugby World Cup Team

Reigning champion South Africa, is a potent force in any tournament it competes in. The Springboks are famed for their rock-solid forwards, and are one of a handful of teams at the tournament with world-class players in reserve.

Nickname: The Springboks
Coach: Pieter de Villiers
Best World Cup Performance: Winners (1995, 2007)

2011 Rugby World Cup Pool D
Team P W D L PF PA TF TA BP Pts
 South Africa 4 4 0 0 166 24 21 2 2 18
 Wales 4 3 0 1 180 34 23 4 3 15
 Samoa 4 2 0 2 91 49 10 5 2 10
 Fiji 4 1 0 3 59 167 7 19 1 5
 Namibia 4 0 0 4 44 266 5 36 0 0

2011 South Africa Rugby World Cup Team Odds

World Cup – World Cup
Winner – 15:42
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World Cup - World Cup
South Africa Stage of Elimination -
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Quarter Final10/114/510/118/138/114/53/4
Semi Final13/813/813/8213/813/86/4
Winner13/2713/28815/27
Runner Up1214121612147
Group Stage50-50----

World Cup - South Africa v Namibia
Handicap (No Draw) - 09:00
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Namibia+43.5 10/3+58.5 10/11+58.5 1/1+58.5 1/1+58.5 1/1+59.5 17/20+59.5 5/6+59.5 5/6
South Africa-43.5 1/4-58.5 4/5-58.5 5/6-58.5 4/5-58.5 4/5-59.5 11/10-59.5 5/6-59.5 10/11

2011 Rugby World Cup

The Boks are going to have a torrid time in Pool D with Fiji, Samoa and Wales all likely to give the Boks a run for their money. Injuries will be a real concern against Fiji and Samoa, particularly since the South Africa 2011 Rugby World Cup team won’t be able to risk playing a second string line-ups against the pumped-up Pacific islanders.

Even if the Boks do manage to win Pool D, they’re looking at a likely quarterfinal against an Irish team that has beaten them consistently over recent seasons. If the South Africans fumble Group D and finish second they’ll then have to deal with the prospect of a quarterfinal against Australia.

Taking all these factors into consideration, it looks like South Africa is going to have a tough time mounting a successful defence of its title.

Rugby World Cup History

South Africa missed out on the first two editions of the World Cup due to an international sports embargo placed on South Africa by the international community. The South Africans participated in their first Rugby World Cup in 1995, hosting the event and winning it at first attempt, in a memorable final against New Zealand.

South Africa were disappointing in their next two Rugby World Cup finals, going out at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in the semi-finals, and exiting the 2003 Rugby World Cup in the quarterfinals.

However, the 2007 Rugby World Cup saw the Springboks at their best, and they were further assisted by a schedule that enabled them to circumvent the likes of France, Australia and New Zealand. As a result, South Africa was able to claim its second Rugby World Cup title.

Strengths

South Africa’s traditional strength has been its forwards, who are generally able to feed the Springbok back-line with a steady supply of quality possession, and Heinrich Brussow currently filling this role as the finest openside flanker in world rugby. The Springboks also have a knack for unearthing quality scrumhalves, and the performance of the mercurial Fourie Du Preez in this position is likely to have a massive impact on Bok fortunes.

Weaknesses

While many Springbok players are capable of moments of individual brilliance, the team has often been criticised for a lack of innovative, creative play. The current backline, while big on experience, looks a bit past its sell-by date, with many of the 2007 World Cup winners still occupying their positions. Without the ability to play creatively in big games, South Africa is going to struggle to capitalise on its powerful forward play.

South Africa Rugby World Cup Squad

Forwards

Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira (Sharks), Gurthro Steenkamp (Bulls), John Smit (Sharks, capt), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), CJ van der Linde (Lions), Bakkies Botha (Bulls), Victor Matfield (Bulls, vice-capt), Johann Muller (Ulster/NIR), Danie Rossouw (Bulls), Willem Alberts (Sharks), Schalk Burger (Province), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Francois Louw (Bath/ENG), Pierre Spies (Bulls)

Backs

Francois Steyn (Racing Metro/FRA), Patrick Lambie (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Gio Aplon (Western Province), Jaque Fourie (Province), Jean de Villiers (Province), Juan de Jongh (Province), Bryan Habana (Province), Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), Morne Steyn (Blue Bulls), Butch James (Golden Lions), Fourie du Preez (Bulls), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster/NIR)


World Cup - Team Betting
South Africa Top Team Tryscorer -
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Fourie, J1/1

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