THE Springboks don’t exactly have the greatest record in what is now known as the Castle Rugby Championships (formerly Tri Nations).
It has been dominated by New Zealand and fans can expect more of the same this year, especially with All Black captain Richie McCaw making a return after his sabbatical.
Much of the Springboks’ success will depend on who is fit to play.
Injuries have wreaked havoc this year in the Super 15, especially for the Sharks and Stormers.
Jean de Villiers is a key figure, despite his injuries and the mumblings about whether or not he is the right man to captain the team.
Super 15 rugby is no real guide book to international form. South Africa have had years where they’ve had two teams in the final and failed miserably in the Tri Nations.
In other years we’ve been disappointing in Super rugby and done well in the Tri Nations.
With Argentina being added last year, the tournament has more balance. Not many were a fan of the one home two away or two home one away system.
It didn’t produce the fairest possible result.
Now it’s much simpler: one home and one away fixture.
South Africa start with a home game at Soweto against Argentina on August 17. That’s about the least difficult game they will have – the newcomers at home.
After that the heat will be turned up.
The Boks will fly west to play Argentina in Mendoza.
Then they have a week’s break before flying to Brisbane to take on the Wallabies. They should have some support as their are a lot of South Africans living in that part of Australia.
After that it’s a flight across the Tasman to take on New Zealand in Eden Park, Auckland.
This will be one tough encounter, especially coming after two away games. It would be nothing short of a miracle were the Boks to win this one.
However, playing the All Blacks last of the away games could suit the Boks as it should give them a better chance of winning their two previous games (they will be fresher).
Further, by the time this game comes around, the Boks will have had the chance to get some game time and settle on combinations.
The Boks will then have a well-deserved – or much-needed – weekend off, followed by home games against Australia at Cape Town and New Zealand at Ellis Park, two happy hunting grounds for South Africa.
New Zealand have won it 10 times, including last year when they won all six of their games. South Africa and Australia have won it three times each.
