Wednesday 15 August 2007

Rugby World Cup Team Profile - South Africa

Current World Rank: 4

Biggest cliché about the team: ‘They don’t travel well’.

Murray Mexted (NZ Sky commentator) likely to say: "Both sides are here to play rugby."

Stephen Jones did say: "South Africa remain on course to take New Zealand to the wire."

Coach most likely to say in defeat: "That was our second string team anyway…."

Glamour boy of the team: Percy Montgomery

Greatest Moment: Beating the All Blacks in 2005 and 2006 in separate matches of the Tri Nations series

Weakest Moment: Losing to a depressed and depleted England side in the 2006 Autumn International by 3 points and being thrashed by Australia 49 – 0 in the first Tri Nations match of 2006.

Weak link in the team: Percy Montgomery

Redeeming features: Nelson Mandela’s continued support

Incumbent stars: Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana

8 comments:

Nursedude said...

Percy Montgomerie is SO overated. That said, I do think the Boks are improved from last year. Look for them to take the group over England. (But hey, I'm a Southern Hemisphere kind of a Yank)

Nursedude said...

PS -By greatest moment, Ferdy, do you mean in the last 5 years, or EVER? If it is the latter, how about the 'Boks RWC win in overtime in 1995 against...Oh, never mind.

Total Flanker said...

Hi Ferdy

You remember my gentle light-hearted spoof about the gingerbread haka?

Well get this - http://www.stuff.co.nz/4146667a11.html

You really couldn't make it up!

cheers...TF

Matt @ Green and Gold Rugby said...

Hey - they can't be 2nd as well!

Matt

Ferdy said...

Hey Matt - that was just my subconscious train of thought going off again! I think when you look at the strengths and weaknesses of both the Wallabies and Springboks, they are probably quite even. Apologies anyway for the mix up. (The IRB have also been phoning – most disgruntled they are too with my poor statistical reporting).
Ferdy.

Matt @ Green and Gold Rugby said...

No worries - jealously guarding second ranking while we have it. Who knows how long it will last!

Ferdy said...

Yes - after October - it might be No 1!

Ferdy said...

Nursedude - have just seen your comment RE the Boks win in 1995 in the RWC final. I can tell you, it was not a great moment for me! Oh BTW - when I said greatest moment, I mean't in the last four years :-)