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- Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber is understandably not overly concerned about potentially having to face New Zealand or France in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
- Instead, his team will first have to come out of a tough Group B that includes Ireland and Scotland.
- Nienaber insists that the decision not to play any international rugby in 2020 was “the right decision.”
The specter of potentially having to face the All Blacks or host France in the quarterfinals of Rugby World Cup 2023 is the furthest thing from Jacques nienaber’s mind right now.
For that to happen remotely, your Springboks First I need to get out of a Group B that seems unexpectedly stiff.
South Africa tied on Monday along with Ireland, Scotland and an Asia / Pacific qualifier that could easily be Tonga or Samoa.
“If you look at our group and the quality that will be present, then it probably wouldn’t be the right thing to start focusing on the quarterfinals and knockout rugby,” Nienaber said at a virtual press conference after the draw.
“You will have to be quite informed and on top of your game to get out of the pool. The good thing about this is that there are no two ways to do it.
“It’s quite strange to think that South Africa, Ireland or Scotland might not make it to the play-off stages. It’s going to be a tough group, but I’m very excited.”
The fact that the Springboks are facing the Irish for the first time in the biggest tournament in history adds a potential twist to the proceedings three years from now.
They have also only faced Scotland twice, culminating in 46-29 and 34-16 victories in 1999 and 2015 respectively.
“From our perspective (in terms of a tournament context), we will now focus massively on the next three years,” Nienaber said.
“You will need a suitable team with good experience to get out of the pool. That is the immediate objective.”
However, given that the Springboks are the only team in the top ten in World Rugby that will not play international rugby in 2020, it is perhaps insane to focus too much on the tournament.
In fact, the Covid-19 pandemic has only served to remind everyone of the uncertainty the game is in.
For now, the Springboks are just trying to get some playing time before the British & Irish Lions tour next year.
“The most important thing for us is to take small steps,” Nienaber said.
“The first order of business is simply to bring international rugby back here. We have our local game up and running again, so the next approach is to get international opposition.”
Despite criticism from some quarters that Argentina’s meritorious performance in the recently concluded Tri-Nations despite minimal preparation “ridiculed” South Africa’s decision to withdraw, Nienaber insists it was the right course of action.
“I still believe that we made the right decision. There were different closures for different countries and ours was quite extreme,” he said.
“From a player safety point of view, it was definitely the right decision. But now we will have to be creative in preparing for international rugby next year. The guys are working hard behind the scenes to achieve it.
“We also have the British and Irish Lions next year so it’s about tackling things gradually.”
