Valke Sevens coach backs Boks
Local rugby coach Stephen Els shares his thoughts on the Bok's chances at this year's Rugby World Cup.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup has officially begun.
The host nation France kicked off this year’s showpiece by defeating favourites New Zealand.
The Kempton Express asked local rugby coaches to share their opinions and predictions on the tournament.
Valke Sevens head coach Stephen Els said: “My prediction is that the Springboks will become the first team to win the cup for the fourth time because we have the most balanced team in world rugby,” he said.
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He said that the Springboks will have a difficult pool game against Ireland.
“We played well against Scotland. Our squad did enough to get us the win,” he added.
Stephen believes that New Zealand and France are the biggest competition for the Springboks.
“We could meet them in the quarter-finals or the final.”
He also believes that New Zealand might seek revenge for the record loss against the Boks a few weeks ago.
“The strong points of the Boks are the forward pack with the bomb squad making an impact in the last 30 minutes of the game. Our loose forwards blend well with our back line and that makes them almost unstoppable,” he said.
Stephen added that outside backs like Kolbe, Arendse and Moodie, who know how to score tries, are X-factor players while the defence is strong.
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“I don’t see any weaknesses in the team. I feel a strong positive vibe in the team could be the difference that could secure the Boks the cup.
“We have a lot of depth right through the squad and injuries will not affect us,” he said.
Stephen believes this Bok squad has the opportunity to make history and the success will be the diversity of the team and how they play together as a unit.
“My message to the Boks would be to play every game as if they are playing the final,” he said.
