G
GreenRevolution
Guest
South Africa are the IRB Number 1 (a ranking started in '03) But how do you determine who are the TOP DOGS in the international rugby union arena ? History, performance, statistics ? It seems South Africa are well and truly ahead when we look a little deeper. Current form has the Springboks as undisputed NUMBER 1's, with Australia as the only Double RWC ***le holders. History has England as original home of Rugby from the town of RUGBY in 1823. England have a dismall WIN RATIO and over the near 200 years of their history battle to reach a 50% ratio. TWO (2) teams break the 70% mark. ONLY South Africa and New Zealand. If you then examine the historical data a wee bit finer you see South Africa breaks into the undisputed LEAD ! The Cape Colony pre-dates Australia & New Zealand by a couple hundred years, the first Colonials of 1488 & 1652 contributing to the establishment of a booming population in 1800 reportedly 70% larger than that of OZ & NZ combined at THAT time ! In 1830 rugby union was FIRST to Southern Africa's Cape Colony, then Oz, and then New Zealand (becoming a Colony only late in 1870'ish). By that time South Africans had raked up a legacy of rugby history including 1st places across a wide spectrum achievement. That these have been erased by the fact that South Africa was NOT a single Nation until 1910 is inconsequential... the Rugby Union facts remain... South Africa has far MORE tests and internationals than thought before. Factor these into the current STATS and South Africa ROCKETS up the charts. BEST win ratio - South Africa, 1st International - South Africa, 1st Overseas Tour - South Africa, 1st NON BRITISH born team - South Africa, 1st NON WHITE team - South Africa.... undoubtably the GREATEST rugby union team in over the near 200 years of the existence of rugby union... the SPRINGBOKS ! (I'll give the Kiwi's 10-20 year of that 200 years...but the truth is rugby union is GREEN !) Springbok rugby is RUGBY !
