The Rugby World Cup 2011 starts on the 9 September until the 23 October 2011. The following article is an outline of the teams that will be featuring from pool D.
South Africa- Springboks
The South African rugby team is the current holder of the Rugby World Cup, beating England 15 -6 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record equaling second time in 2007. Since the last World Cup the Springboks results range from all time highs to some indifferent results, they are however still one of the best teams on the planet. The South African team is renowned for scrummaging aggressively with a high level of technical excellence, a ball-in-hand style that often works very well against opponents. Expect a traditional high-pressure, attritional game plan at the 2011 World Cup; this approach is likely to see the Springboks get to the later stages of the competition and if like 2007 could see a successful defense of the Web Ellis. The Springboks possess quality in-depth and are renowned for being extremely difficult to break down over 80 minutes, they have also been drawn in a favorable group consisting of teams that shouldn’t prove too much of a problem; complacency will be South Africa’s biggest problem but once out of the group stage expect a charge towards the final in Auckland. Star Player: Bryan Habana, Head coach: Peter de Villiers
Fiji – The Palms
Fiji is one of the few countries where rugby union is the national sport, as a team they are very strong and definitely the strongest from the Oceania region. The 2007 World Cup was a great success for the Fijians who got knocked out at the quarter-final stage by future winners South Africa, prior to this they overcame Wales in the second round 38-31; this put Fiji in the top 8 teams in world rugby, no small feat for this pacific island. The Fijian style is very off the cuff and proves to be highly entertaining, their ball handling is generally excellent and is more akin to basketball at times. The Fijian free-flowing style does however expose a defensive fragility that the better teams capitalise on but on their day the Palms are a handful for any team. Group D throws up the mouth-watering repeat of the 2007 game against Wales, described by some as one of the best matches ever. The winner of this match will very likely progress to the next round behind South Africa but the game against neighbours Samoa will be tough and definitely one to watch. Star Player: Sisaro Koyamaibole, Head Coach: Sam Domoni
Samoa- Manu Samoa
Rugby was introduced to Samoa in the early 1920s; the first international was played as Western Samoa against Fiji in August 1924. Samoa did not compete at the first World Cup but have qualified for every tournament since. Samoa in the early years of the World Cup were an unknown, this worked exceptional well for the team and help them to progress to the quarter-final stages in the first three tournaments that they participated in; since these early highs Samoa have failed to get out of the group stages. There are strong links between Samoa and New Zealand even sharing a pre match challenge similar to the Haka called the Siva Tau. Many players switch nationalities between the two nations, often Samoan player’s trying to realise a dream of playing for the All Blacks. Manu Samoa is a naturally strong, physical side, who will go toe to toe with any opponent. Group D represents a great opportunity for the side to get out of the group, the games against Wales and Fiji are vital to this – expect a great encounter when these teams meet each other. Star Player: Alesana Tuilagi, Head Coach: Fuimaono Tafua
Namibia- Welwitschias
Namibia has been playing international rugby since the early 1900s; they are the second best team from Africa and the most likely first team candidate to join the second tier of world rugby. Namibia have competed at every World Cup since 1999 but are yet to win a match, with a small player base, and lacking frequent or strong competition, the team has deteriorated in recent years. The Likelihood for Namibia in the 2011 World Cup is that they will again struggle. A potential result if possible will come against Samoa or Fiji but on paper the group D wooden spoon beckons for the Welwitschias. There have been a few excellent internationals out of Namibia; however these players often opt to play for South Africa, a country with strong ties to Namibia as past rulers. The shining hope for Namibia was surprisingly winning the IRB Nations Cup in 2010, proving their progress at international level is on the rise. Star Player: Jacques Burger, Head Coach: Johan Diergaardt
Wales- Dragons
Wales have contested at every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987; the first one is still the best one. At the 1987 World Cup Wales finished third in the tournament, beating Australia 22-21 in a classic match, since this high the Welsh have seesawed between the quarter-finals and not progressing out of the group stages at all. To put on the Wales rugby shirt is every Welshman’s dream; engrained in the very fabric of the people of the valleys. Wales will look at group D with optimism, on their day Wales play a fluid, entertaining and often spectacular blend of rugby that creates fans around the world. South Africa will be very tough for Wales, having played each other 25 times and only winning once against the Springboks, the odds are firmly stacked against them. Samoa, Fiji and Namibia should prove more of a contest; maximum points from these three games will see the Welshman into the next round, expect a spectacular game when the opponents are the Palms of Fiji. Since the last World Cup Wales secured a grand slam victory in the Six nations back in 2008 but the years since have seen a decline in performances and results, it will interesting to see what Welsh side shows up in New Zealand 2011. Star Player: Stephen Jones, Head Coach: Warren Gatland
The first match of pool D is on the 10th September 2011 15:30
Fiji v Namibia – Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua