For Countries Like South Africa, Australia and New Zealand; anything less than lifting the Cup will be a Fail. Definitely the Main and only True Contenders for the ***le; no other teams/nations will come close.
And Australia have a way to go to match New Zealand.South Africa have a lot of work to do to get themselves up to the level of New Zealand and Australia...
I'd be pleasantly surprised if we made the quarters with the way things are going.
I was expecting us to make the semis last time around, so I've rather reined myself in this time!!
How can you Guys say SA have a way to go to be at New Zealands standard. Injury Prone Stormers beat a pretty much full strength Blues team in their own backyard; Cheetahs beat Crusaders and don't use injuries as excuse cos Cheetahs have Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussouw, Fran Viljoen, Philip Burger and Andries Strauss out injured. All the Top Boks are gaining form again Botha, Matfield, Du Preez, Steyn. J.Fourie, J.De Villiers, Burger, Spies, Rossouw, etc. Can't comment until some Tri-Nations has been played. South Africa will Defend the ***le in New Zealand, i have no worries. How many rugby World Cup ***les have New Zealand won in the Professional Era?...can't wait to hear the excuses...
Super rugby =/= International rugby.
Last 3 games between the teams:
New Zealand 32 12 South Africa
New Zealand 31 17 South Africa
South Africa 22 29 New Zealand
Call me crazy, but on the basis of their most recent meetings South Africa appear to be off the pace.