The Springboks are still some way ahead of the pack in second place behind the All Blacks. Yes, Australia beat them in Perth 24-23, but there was some fortune attached to that. It was fortunate for England, too, that, if the draw goes as expected, they can avoid the South Africans in the Rugby World Cup. Like New Zealand, South Africa have significant depth now, as illustrated by the impact of their bench in beating Australia in the penultimate round. They also have excellent experience, helped by the return out of retirement of 37-year-old lock Victor Matfield. He hasn’t lost it.
4 The Springboks must develop a style
South Africa are a little like England in that they are trying to decide how to play, sometimes expansive, sometimes conservative. England seem to have made the decision that they will try to match the All Blacks in the pace and tempo at which they play. It is dangerous because it goes away from traditional virtues. What do South Africa do in the Rugby World Cup? That could depend on how 20-year-old fly-half Handre Pollard goes between now and then. It has been wonderful to see his emergence , with his willingness to go to the line a delight
