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South Africa captain Siya Kolisi celebrates after winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final between South Africa and Wales at Yokohama International Stadium in Yokohama City, Japan, October 27, 2019. EPA-EFE / MARK R. CRISTINO FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NON-COMMERCIAL SALES / NOT USED IN ASSOCIATION WITH ANY COMMERCIAL ENTITY
The Springboks will face a new Rugby World Cup challenge after they were tied with Ireland in Group B for the tournament’s 10th edition in 2023.
South Africa, defending world champion will face Ireland and Scotland in Group B of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2023, as well as in the Asia Pacific and Europe qualifiers.
In what will be the 10th edition of rugby’s biggest event, the Boks will face Ireland for the first time in the World Cup. Ireland has never made it past the quarterfinals.
As the defending champions and the world’s number one team, South Africa is one of five teams in Group B, along with two qualified teams.
The group draw was completed in Paris on Monday with all teams participating virtually. The Springboks will defend a proud history as they have only lost three group matches in seven tournaments: against England (2003), Japan (2015) and New Zealand (2019).
The Boks have been in the same group as Scotland twice, in 1999 and 2015. Since their first appearance at an RWC in 1995, the Springboks have played 43 RWC games, winning 36 and losing seven. That win count, including three final wins, gives the Boks an impressive 83.72% win percentage.
“We are obviously excited about today’s draw, and although the Rugby World Cup in France is still almost three years away, it is good to have an end goal to work towards,” said head coach Jacques Nienaber.
“Being in the same group as Ireland and Scotland will be a huge challenge, but to win the tournament you have to be able to beat all the teams and we will be adequately tested in the group stages.
“We saw [in 2019] the margin of error, even during group stages, in any Rugby World Cup is very small.
“Take, for example, our situation where we just had to win every group game after our loss to the All Blacks in Japan, to make sure we qualify for the knockout stages.
“If you look at the countries in the top three bands, I would say that each of those teams is capable of beating another on any given day, as evidenced by a team like Japan, which has made great strides in recent years.”
Bok captain Siya Kolisi was happy with the result. He also said the tie heralds a significant marker they should aim for. “It’s really exciting to know who your opponents will be in the RWC pool for the 2023 tournament in France,” he said.
However, Kolisi said that for the immediate future the Springboks’ attention will be on another big challenge ahead.
“For now we have to focus our attention on the enormous challenge that the British and Irish Lions will bring. [in 2021]. There is great anticipation, both at home and in the UK, for what promises to be another memorable Lions series in South Africa. ”
The former captain of the Irish Lions and the British and Irish, Brian O’Driscoll, was happy to see a new match at RWC, with the imminent showdown between the Boks and Ireland.
“South Africa will be delighted with Ireland and Scotland … it’s another RWC quarterfinal for them,” O’Driscoll said wryly on SuperSport.
“You see how Scotland is progressing and if they can keep their key players in shape they will be dangerous. Ireland has dominated the head-to-head of late, but Ireland is yet to deliver at RWC.
“It’s good to refresh things against South Africa in the group stage. Things can change in a few years. It will be difficult for Ireland to lead the group, but it is a challenge that the Irish will enjoy.
Other pools
New Zealand drew in Group A with hosts France and Italy. In Group C, Wales, Australia and Fiji are tied. Group D looks tough with England, Japan and Argentina.
“It’s a great group to be a part of,” England captain Owen Farrell said. “They are all tough groups, but the way Japan and Argentina are playing right now and the type of rugby they have played in recent years, it will be difficult.
“Argentina is passionate and the way she performed at the Tri-Nations showed her class. But there is a lot of time to go to the tournament and a lot of time for everyone to improve and prepare ”.
Only the teams that finished in the top three at RWC 2019 in Japan qualified for the 2023 tournament. Eight teams still have to qualify over the next two years.
The Group A winner will play the Group B runner-up, meaning the Boks could face the All Blacks, or host France in the quarterfinals. DM
Group A:
New Zealand, France, Italy, Americas 1, Africa 1
B Group:
South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Asia / Pacific 1, Europe 2
Group C:
Wales, Australia, Fiji, Europe 1, Final Ranking Winner
Group D:
England, Japan, Argentina, Oceania 1, Americas 2. DM
