Springboks clinch Rugby Championship

I thought that the Bredesloe was the big one and that we had a hand on it. SA are back !

If they beat Scotland, which is entirely possible.

Good news, not that I think the rankings are particularly accurate, but it’s the principal haha. I do think the trophy will stay in the SH, at this stage I would say SA, unless we can turn our fortunes around. I see us finishing second in pool play. Which I think would mean we would likely play Ireland?

England way too good and but for a called back forward pass would have put more than 15 points on Wales. NZ get the ranking back so that was fun. SA clearly the stronger side now having dealing to both Oz with a B and Argie, drawing with NZ in NZ. NZ have a lot to do, SA and Oz need to consolidate what theyve found so far, and great to see the SH sides coming on in a World cup year, something I knew would happen eventually.

Frankly, for all Wales’ endeveours and Ireland’s remarkable feats over the All Blacks I still feel England will pose the biggest threat. We’re talking about the largest playing group being coached by the man who beat the Boks with Japan – let’s not forget also that he has been to two RWC finals. Silver with Australia and as consultant a gold 4 years later. They’ve also practiced consistency with 18 wins in a row and critically perhaps did not peak too early. Yes, Wales have had 14 wins but they may end up regretting it. AUS and SA do not have the consistency nailed down so having to play 3 or even more tough games in a row and coming out on top could prove pivotal (depending on the group you find yourself in). Still, for me the great thing is that Argentina can clearly enter as huge under dogs and a major dark horse. Australia and SA are showing they can compete and NZ will always be NZ. In that sense at least the SH has something going for it. Ireland can very much be a threat like England, having had a bit of a downer in the 6N this season – and they can learn and grow from that. Personally I wonder whether the QF ghost will keep haunting them much to the tune of the SA cricket team’s problems – their mental fortitude may come out tops as NZ have proven it can be done. My hope is for a fair competition with minimal injuries.

Is there a more daunting scarier forward pack in world rugby? If I was ever in a bad spot, there’s no one I would want on my side more than Marx.

To be honest I will probably watch the first half and make a call to record and watch later. Although last time I did that was the Cricket World Cup Final, I figured it was NZ and Eng, and I work with a bunch of Aussies, no one will have watched it, it wont be too hard not to hear. didn't count on the 'remarkable result making headlines.

As a retired old fogey, I will record it and watch it tomorrow morning over breakfast.

I have been on 2 weeks leave and back to work tomorrow so was meant to have any night...yea, I think I will be tuning into that to see how the look (and to see if the ABs can hold the number one spot for one more week...).

Paulo: England playing Wales tonight 10.50pm on fox beinit(sp?)

Can’t argue with that assessment. From the SH I would say on recent form SA were favourites, from the NH, Wales on recent form? I haven’t seen enough of the 6 nations to know.

South Africa is going to be a handful at the RWC. I fancy them to win it but Nth Hemi and AB's assuming they get their act together will not go away. Wallabies are outside chance regardless of last nights great win. Should be hardest fought RWC in history is my guess at it.