Boks set for intriguing World Cup pool draw

THE Springboks will find out on Wednesday if their No 1 status in the world will carry weight for their pool draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

Despite sitting comfortably at the top with over 3% rating points separating them and New Zealand in second, the defending champions enter the draw knowing that reputation alone won't guarantee a smooth path at the tournament Down Under.

Coming off an unbeaten November tour, where they again underlined their strength and depth ahead of the tournament, and finishing on an 86.7% win record this season, losing only two from 14 Tests, the Boks will have a massive target on their backs going forward.

They defeated Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales in Europe in an excellent display of their power, precision, even in adversity, game management and the large player pool under head coach Rassie Erasmus. They also equalled the record for the most tries in a season with 81 (set in 2007 in a 17-Test programme), achieving a record average of 5.78 tries per Test.

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander lauded the Boks - who returned home on Monday after - for their resilience, discipline and teamwork.