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All Blacks are Boks greatest World Cup threat

All Blacks are Boks greatest World Cup threat

Damian McKenzie in action for Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific

The scintillating form of the New Zealand franchises in Super Rugby Pacific is an ominous sign for the Springboks world title defence in France, according toMARK KEOHANE.

After three rounds of the 2023 competition, the Chiefs are top of the overall standings with three wins from as many matches, while the Blues and Hurricanes are third and fourth, respectively.

Ireland has been the most consistent team in world rugby for the past three years and are currently ranked No 1, and are closely followed by France, but in hisTimesLIVEcolumn, Keohane sounds the warning of writing off the Kiwis as challengers to the Boks crown in six months time.

Keep an eye on Super Rugby Pacific because the Springboks greatest challenge at the 2023 World Cup in France remains New Zealands All Blacks, he writes.

MORE: Schmidt out of All Blacks coaching race

Both the All Blacks and Springboks are on the same side of the draw and for the Springboks to win the World Cup they will have to beat the All Blacks or hope a team like Ireland knocks them over along the way.

Ireland, more than France, would fancy their chances of beating the All Blacks on recent form, but there is the psychological hurdle that Ireland has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Ireland, for all their success when Joe Schmidt was their coach, crumbled when it mattered most at the World Cup. They conceded 40 points at home in the quarter-final to Argentina in 2015 and in 2019 conceded 46 points to the All Blacks.

The All Blacks, for 24 years, couldnt add to their first World Cup success in 1987 but when they won the title in 2011 at home, they enjoyed four incomparable years of dominance in defending the title with an emphatic win against the Wallabies at Twickenham in 2015.

The All Blacks, seemingly dead in 2022, were revived with a thrilling win against the Boks at Ellis Park. They did not lose in their last six Tests of 2022, although they were humbled at Twickenham in conceding three tries and 19 points in the final 10 minutes to draw 25-all with England.

With South Africas top four franchises now playing in the northern hemisphere and no longer part of Super Rugby, New Zealand and Australia arent top of mind throughout the season.

But out of sight, should not translate to out of mind.

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