Rugby World Cup: South Hemisphere 2 - North Hemisphere 0

So the Rugby World Cup 2007 has finally ended with Jake White's South Africa restoring sanity to the world rugby order. The tournament results have been wildly unpredictable yet the same cannot be said for the state of play on the field. As the poll (now closed) above reveals - people were right when they thought this Rugby World Cup would be won on defence (and the boot). Attacking rugby and scoring tries are out. Attrition, percentages and the ever enduring drop goal have proven once again that this how you win knockout tournaments. The media around the world are already labelling this as probably the most boring Rugby World Cup final ever.

But a win is a win and South Africa are deserved winners for 2007. Their lineout was magnificent and man for man they were always going to be the better team on the pitch compared to a resurgent (but ultimately unimaginative England). With ten minutes on the clock to go in this game it was a given (before the match even began) that England were not going to be able to score a try to get themselves out of the swamp. Three penalties (or drop goals) against this South African team in the dying minutes was a challenge too far for the red roses. In saying that, I don't want to take anything away from England's effort. They were the team with the hardest march to this Rugby World Cup final and have given the world a few lessons in how to get there. I don't wish to sound ungracious towards them because their spirit was something to behold. But if winning ugly is what it will take next time, I'm picking there will be a few more teams in future that if they put their minds to it, can match the English when it comes to suffocating the living bejesus out of the game.

The big highlight of the weekend (if you're not a Bok supporter) was the fantastic game Argentina took to a passionless France. Argentina have played conservative rugby all tournament but going against their normal game plan for a change and playing with the ball in hand, they provided the true spectacle of the weekend (if you favour your games mixed up a bit) and ended up thrashing a hapless French outfit that had no answers. It only has to be a matter of a time before they come on board to the Tri Nations. I hope it is sooner rather than later.

More to come in the next couple of days with a tournament wrap and a look to the future. Plus updated Rugby World Cup IRB rankings. South Africa sit proudly at the top of the table now with New Zealand second and England third.

Rugby World Cup: Just How Good Are The Springboks?

Just How Good Are South Africa?

There has been a lot written over the last few weeks about the South African rugby team being worthy contenders to the crown of Rugby World Cup champions. But is this a lot of hype or are the South Africans as good as many believe?

There is a lot of good, I must grudgingly admit. Victor Matfield and Bakkes Botha are two of the best locks in the world. Not far behind, in the great stakes comes Schalk Burger –his wild blonde hair crying out for world-wide attention. With Bryan Habana and Fourie du Preez, two who can no doubt carve up the attacking opposition as good as any Wallaby or All Black and Eddie Jones adding some fizz into the backline structure, the Boks finally can have an attack which isn’t all rush defense and intercepting passes off pacific basketball.

However, it could be argued that the Springbok front row is verging on the cusp as a creaking pack of aging baldies. And when John Smit is not around, the scrum particularly goes on the wane. Of course, the loosies are world class but when one gets behind the scrum (and leaves out Habana and du Preez, there doesn't seem much to write home about. With Jean de Villiers out and injured for the rest of the tournament, the backline took a major blow.

Sure, Franz Stein is a precocious youngster with a powerful boot, but as is all too often; it is easy to look classy against the minnows. Against the All Blacks in the first tri-nations test of 2007 (and yes, the Springboks were at full strength and playing on home turf) he was made to look inexperienced and ineffectual.

Ruggerblogger's Springbok weaklink? It has to be Percy Montgomery. Yes, he has great games but they’re normally against the likes of England (when the red rose army has been prescribed valium the night before to get over their depression of being coached by Andy Robinson). Percy hasn’t been tested at all in this tournament and when he will be tested, I'm picking that he will be the one to crumble.

South Africa to win the world Cup? Maybe. Or maybe not.