BBC Rugby Union: All Blacks Legends Debate Springboks’ Place at the Top
Former All Blacks stars Jeff Wilson and Sir John Kirwan engaged in a lively discussion, debating New Zealand’s standing relative to the reigning world champion Springboks.
South Africa’s back-to-back World Cup triumphs, including their narrow 12-11 victory over the All Blacks in last year’s final, have solidified their position as the team to beat. Wilson believes the Springboks are now the benchmark, impressed by their dominant display against Wales in June.
“I’m going to compare them (All Blacks) to the World Cup champions because they are the ultimate challenge right now for us,” Wilson said on The Breakdown. “They’re a different style but we have to be adaptable in my view.”
However, Kirwan disagrees, suggesting the Springboks’ traditional, physical approach may not align with World Rugby’s recent law changes aimed at speeding up the game.
“I think they know how to win World Cups but I don’t think they play a type of rugby that’s the future of our game,” Kirwan argued.
The debate may be settled later this year, as the southern hemisphere heavyweights clash in the Rugby Championship. The Springboks will host Ireland and the All Blacks will face England in July, before the two titans meet in a double-header in South Africa on August 31 and September 7.
With the Springboks’ dominance at global tournaments and the All Blacks’ need to adapt, the battle to determine the true standard-bearers of rugby union is set to intensify in the coming months.
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