There is certainly no denying the fact that the Springboks have been drawn in a tough pool for the World Cup in New Zealand, as have the All Blacks, Australia and a number of other traditional rugby powers. But personally I am just happy that we won't be facing England once again, because really, three times in a row would just be too bloody boring!

Others in the iafrica.com newsroom feel that perhaps England would be a good bet, considering their current form, but for me I would far rather sit back and enjoy a World Cup full of excitement and heart-stopping moments, than watch the Boks punish the Poms once again.

I would also be hard-pressed to ask for a more exciting opener than a possible All Blacks versus France. And imagine how fired up the Welsh are going to be to get stuck into us! Never mind the fact that the Dragons are going to be eyeing up their grudge match against Fiji — the Pacific Islanders were responsible for knocking the Welshmen out before the play-offs in 2007.

And Ireland against Australia? That is going to be another full-blooded affair! The Aussies and Ireland will both be looking to put RWC '07 behind them, while the men from the Emerald Isle, in particular, will be keen to shed the tag of rugby's perennial underachievers.

And you can't forget England against Scotland either, with the match certain to be full of fire and brimstone. Scotland relish facing the 'Auld Enemy' and the history of the two countries is sure to spill over onto the pitch...

That is what the World Cup is about for me.

I am not interested in watching teams run over the smaller nations, notching up meaningless records, and humiliating the opposition. I want to see real rugby from start to finish. Sure, there are going to be the cricket scores — New Zealand against the Asian qualifiers and the Boks against the African qualifiers won't be pretty — but there are some huge games set for the Pool stage of RWC 2011.

The Boks arguably have the toughest Pool, but in reality they should walk into the play-off stages. Their first real threat is likely to come in the form of the hosts in the semifinals — if the Kiwis manage to make it that far this time around — with neither Wales nor Fiji likely to trouble them in the opening matches. Take nothing away from either of those teams, but I simply cannot see them having the firepower to tackle a Bok side that continues to grow stronger.

One thing is certain though: RWC 2011 will be a lot tougher for the Boks to win than it was in 2007 — we are unlikely to avoid the All Blacks in New Zealand — but I would not have it in any other way. And I would be willing to put money on the fact that we will be bringing the silverware back home in 2011.

  • Is Rob right to be so confident? Leave a comment below!


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