OWN CORRESPONDENT, London | Tuesday 6.10pm.
SOUTH Africa, the only side never to have lost a World Cup match, can never be underestimated in major tournaments, Springbok wing Pieter Rossouw said on Tuesday.
The South Africans face Australia in the World Cup semi-finals at Twickenham on Saturday and Rossouw believes they are hitting top form at exactly the right time after a series of internal disputes and poor first-round performances.
The Springboks sealed their spot in the last four with a sensational win over England in Paris in which fly-half Jannie de Beer kicked 34 points.
“After three successful, but disappointing, weeks at the World Cup, the team really came together,” Rossouw said.
“There was a lot of pressure, especially because of the negative criticism and the high expectations that we put on ourselves, but you must never underestimate the spirit of a Springbok side.”
Rossouw said celebrations among the defending champions were muted with attention immediately being switched to Australia.
“The most important thing for us is to forget about that game as quickly as possible, so that we can focus on Australia,” he said. “It’s going to be a very tough game, but we are all looking forward to it. Luckily there are no serious injuries and (centre) Pieter Muller slotted into the team without any problems.
“It’s pleasing for us to see how dominant the southern hemisphere teams are in the tournament. Three out of four quarter-finalists is a reflection of that strength and unless France beat New Zealand on Sunday, the William Webb Ellis trophy will yet again come down south.”
South Africa won the World Cup on home soil four years ago after missing the first two tournaments during the apartheid era. They are also unbeaten in this year’s tournament.” — AFP