SA face Pacific Island teams in group stages of Cup IT WILL be a case of déjà vu for the Springboks at the 2011 Rugby World Cup after being drawn against two Pacific Island teams in the group stages of the tournament in New Zealand in 30 months.

The International Rugby Board made the draw for the seventh World Cup in London yesterday . The defending champions were also paired with current Six Nations champions Wales in Pool D.

Hosts New Zealand were drawn in Pool A with bogey team France, who eliminated them from the tournament in 1999 at the semifinal stage and at the 2007 tournament in the quarterfinals.

South Africa’s group contains Wales, Fiji and two qualifiers from Oceania and Africa respectively. The Oceania qualifier will almost certainly be Samoa.

The Samoans, along with Tonga, were in the same pool as the Boks in 2007.

With Wales steadily improving under the coaching of Warren Gatland and the aggressive approach of the islanders, the Boks will be tested physically in the early stages of the defence of their title in New Zealand.

“Last time, we were drawn against the top team from Britain — which was then England — and this time we have been drawn against Wales who are the Six Nations champions,” said Bok skipper John Smit.

“We also played two teams from the Pacific Islands and this time we have Fiji and an Oceania qualifier, which is likely to be Samoa. The draw has a similar feel to last time and the good thing is that we will be well tested during the competition.

“You don’t want to breeze through your pool and we certainly won’t have that luxury.”

In an interesting rematch, Wales will probably have to overcome Fiji to make the last eight — something they failed to do last year in what was arguably the match of the tournament. Fiji won 38-34 and qualified for the quarterfinals at the expense of the Welsh before losing 37-20 to the Boks.

New Zealand, France and Tonga are confirmed in Pool A with qualifiers from the Americas and Asia to be added. It’s the first time France have been drawn against a Tri-Nations team in the group phase.

In Pool B, Argentina will square up against England and Scotland with two more teams to be confirmed once the qualifying process is over. On the face of it, it is a good draw for the southern hemisphere’s fourth team, though England will be relieved they avoided one of the Tri-Nations teams.

Australia head Pool C, but will be tested against Ireland and Italy with a European team and another from Asia to complete the group.

The winner of Pool D plays the runner-up of Pool C in the quarterfinals, meaning the Boks, should they top their pool, will in all likelihood play either Ireland or Australia in the last eight.

According to the seedings, the Springboks would then meet New Zealand in the semifinals if both teams top their pools and win their quarterfinals.

Craig Ray

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