Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said the world champions had been drawn in a ”very physical pool” for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand after being put in a group with Wales and Fiji.
”It is a tough draw and it will be a very physical pool, but I am happy with the draw,” said De Villiers, who took over from Jake White, the coach who led South Africa to a 15-6 World Cup final win over England in Paris last year.
”We will be monitoring these nations’ progress over the coming months, but we know what they are capable of when they are on song.
”Wales will only go from strength to strength, and we know the Pacific Islands produce outstanding players — you only have to look back to last year’s World Cup to know what a threat they can pose.”
South Africa captain John Smit, who lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy at the Stade de France, said the draw had a similar feel to the 2007 World Cup.
”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 current Six Nations champions.
”We also played two teams from the Pacific Islands, and this time we have Fiji and an Oceania qualifier, which is very 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.” — AFP
