Pienaar backs Boks for World Cup

South Africa’s World Cup-winning skipper Francois Pienaar believes his country are serious contenders to win this year’s tournament writes Mark Orlovac for BBC Sport. 

The Springboks have just completed a comprehensive series win over England while two South African teams reached the Super 14 final for the first time.

“We have the best chance to win a World Cup since ’95,” Pienaar told BBC Sport.

“There is tremendous talent in South Africa, the squad is really impressive and there is a real sense of optimism.”

The double victory over England was a big boost to the Springboks after a horrid and tumultuous 2006.

They suffered a string of disappointing results, notably a humbling 49-0 defeat by Australia, as they finished bottom of the Tri-Nations table.

They also lost to both Ireland and England on their autumn tour as coach Jake White’s position came under increasing threat.

But there has been an upsurge in their fortunes since then.

The Bulls and the Sharks reached the Super 14 final while the national team appear to be hitting peak form after their routing of Brian Ashton’s under strength England side.
 
Habana scored four tries in the two victories over England

Pienaar, who won a total of 29 caps for his country between 1993 and 1996, is certainly happy with the progress being made by South Africa under White.

But he is not getting too over-confident.

He also denies the victories over England are an indicator of what could happen when the sides meet in the World Cup pool stages in September.

“I would not read a lot into what has happened over the last two weekends,” he said. “England did not bring their full-strength team.

“The fact that South Africa won by large margins in both games is not that significant, while the fact that England led at half-time would be a worry for the Springboks.

“The games were all about getting the guys into the national jersey and White was able to look at a couple of combinations. It was a useful exercise.”

South Africa are searching for their first World Cup title since Pienaar led the side to the fairytale triumph over New Zealand in 1995, a win which marked their return to the sporting mainstream after years in isolation.

The Springboks reached the semi-finals in 1999 but a controversial campaign in 2003 ended with a quarter-final defeat at the hands of the All Blacks.

In South Africa, even if a team does win, there will always be questions

Pienaar believes the Springboks can challenge for the title this time around, but the former Saracens flanker says there is still a lot of work to do.

“I have always maintained that the World Cup is a three-month event. It starts now,” he said.

“The starting line-up should be bedded down by the end of the Tri-Nations, although, if you look at the players, Jake White is almost there already.

“But there are a couple of crucial combinations that need to be sorted out, especially at loose forward, half-back and in the centres.

“For example, in the back row we have Juan Smith, Schalk Burger and Pierre Spies who I rate very highly but you have AJ Venter, Danie Rossouw, Bobby Skinstad, Luke Watson and Joe van Niekerk all knocking at the door.

“There is a vast pool to pick from but the key is to pick the players that suit one another, rather than the best three.

“I would also look at the bench and who is going to be used as impact players. The bench has played a significant role in the Super 14 this year.”

South Africa’s disappointing form in 2006 almost cost White his job.
 
Watson’s selection for South Africa has been a controversial subject

But despite surviving a vote of no confidence last November, he continues to face interference from the South African Rugby Football Union, who forced him to include flanker Luke Watson in a 46-man training ahead of the England Tests.

“That is South African rugby,” said a sympathetic Pienaar. “It is because the country is so rugby mad. It was the same in my era.

“The South African press always find things to write about that make interesting reading in other countries. It is disappointing.

“Jake White seems to have weathered the storm, but in South Africa, even if a team does win, there will always be questions.

“You just have to deal with it. Sometimes it is tough but it has been like that for as long as I can remember.”

Nevertheless, Pienaar believes there is a lot to be upbeat as they target World Cup glory in France later this year.

“What you have to remember now is that Jake White has a bunch of players that have really stuck their hand up during the Super 14,” he said. “He has a great chance.”