This week's 'World Champions'
Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:46
South Africa won the World Cup in 2007. Is the team playing New Zealand this week the World Champions?
A team of South Africans won the World Cup - the Webb Ellis Trophy. By metonymy South Africa won the Webb Ellis Trophy, the World Cup and so they became World Champions, which makes people proud but also makes them targets.
In 1956 the Springboks went to Australia and then on to New Zealand. In Australia they were labelled World champions. But New Zealand was lying in wait. The Springboks had beaten the All Blacks six times in a row, which was intensely damaging to the New Zealand psyche which needs the All Blacks to win - as South Africans need the Springboks to win. South Africa landed in New Zealand and lost the very first match and eventually the series, their first series defeat in 60 years.
In 1995 the Springboks won the Webb Ellis Trophy, beating New Zealand in an extra-time Final. This made every South African team, from schoolboys up a target for every New Zealand team.
Now it has happened again. The Springboks will be a target, the dubious reward for winning. But are they the team that won the World Cup in Paris in 2007?
Just for fun, let's look.
The team that played the final:
Percy Montgomery: He's in New Zealand but no longer the first-choice fullback it seems. That is now Conrad Jantjes who was not at the World Cup.
JP Pietersen: He's in New Zealand but no longer the first-choice wing it seems, following a loss of form. The first-choice right wing has not been an obvious choice. Those who have played this year are Akona Ndungane, Odwa Ndungane and Tonderai Chavhanga. Akona and Chavhanga are not in New Zealand but are playing for their provinces, Blue Bulls and Western Province respectively.
Jaque Fourie: Out injured.
François Steyn: He's in New Zealand but wants to play flyhalf.
Bryan Habana: He's in New Zealand , though his try-scoring seems to have deserted him.
Butch James: He's in New Zealand and playing better than ever,
Fourie du Preez: Out injured.
Danie Rossouw: Not wanted, playing for the Blue Bulls.
Juan Smith: He's in New Zealand.
Schalk Burger: He's in New Zealand, recovering from injury.
Victor Matfield: He's in New Zealand.
Bakkies Botha: He's in New Zealand.
CJ van der Linde: He's in New Zealand but not necessarily as a first-choice tighthead.
John Smit (captain): He's in New Zealand and is still the captain.
Os du Randt: Retired.
Replacements
Bismarck du Plessis: He's in New Zealand
Jannie du Plessis: Not wanted, playing for the Sharks.
Johann Muller: Not wanted, playing for the Sharks.
Wickus van Heerden: Not wanted,playing for Blue Bulls.
Ruan Pienaar: He's in New Zealand but still on the bench.
André Pretorius: Out injured - as he has been for long stretches of time.
Wynand Olivier: Not wanted, playing for the Blue Bulls.
Of the 22 who played in the Final, 13 are in New Zealand.
Others who were at the World Cup and are not in New Zealand are BJ Botha, Akona Ndungane, Gary Botha, Bob Skinstad, Albert van den Berg, Wayne Julies and Ashwin Willemse.
Those who were at the World Cup who were not in the Final 22 but are in New Zealand are Jean de Villiers, who was injured early on, Enrico Januarie, Akona Ndungane and Gürthro Steenkamp.
In New Zealand are several players who did not go to France for the World Cup at all: Conrad Jantjes, Bolla Conradie, Peter Grant, Adrian Jacobs, Odwa Ndungane, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Pierre Spies, Joe van Niekerk and Luke Watson 13 out of 28.
And, of course, the whole coaching staff has changed.
And the All Blacks?
There are several great players no longer considered for one reason or another: Jerry Collins, Nick Evans, Chris Jack, Doug Howlett, Byron Kelleher, Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Anton Oliver, Keith Robinson, Reuben Thorne, Isaia Toeava and Joe Rokocoko. That's a dozen good men. That's a lot of change even with a status-quo coaching staff.
Perhaps the Tri-Nations encounters should be considered just that and not some sort of rematch or a mini-World Cup to rehabilitate injured pride.
