Former England international warns: Springboks’ Rugby World Cup dominance under threat
Former England international Anthony Watson predicts that the gap between the Springboks and other rugby nations is shrinking, with teams like England, France, and New Zealand poised to challenge South Africa’s dominance in the upcoming Rugby World Cup. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
While the Springboks are currently considered overwhelming favourites to win the 2027 Rugby World Cup, one former England international believes they will have a number of challengers for the Webb Ellis trophy.
Former Rugby World Cup finalist for England, Anthony Watson, says that the Springboks will be victims of their own success.
Since they’ve won the last two Rugby World Cup titles in a row, Watson believes the Springboks will be under the most pressure to triumph again.
The Springboks, and by extension coach Rassie Erasmus, are widely regarded as the most innovative rugby nation. However, it means other countries will have had another four years to learn a few tricks of their own, believed Watson.
Watson Predicts Tight Rugby Future as Rivals Close Gap on South Africa
“Other nations are looking at what South Africa is doping, and that gap is shrinking in my opinion.
Teams like England are improving at an alarming rate,” Watson told IOL via Grosvenor Sport, who offer odds for the 2026 Six Nations.
“France obviously will be disappointed with how they finished 2023 and will be a better side for it and have got players who are coming through and setting the world on fire.
“And you can never rule out New Zealand just because of their history and their disappointment across the last two World Cups. It's going to be tight, there's no two ways about that. I think they'd go in as we sit here right now, as favourites.
“But that gap is shrinking, and their team is ageing. So, there are a lot of things to consider.”