Dubai: Only South Africa can stop New Zealand at this autumn’s Rugby World Cup in England, according to former Springbok wing Chester Williams.
The 1995 and 2007 world champions may have lost the opening two games of their ongoing Rugby Championship campaign — 24-20 to Australia and 27-20 to the All Blacks — but Williams told Gulf News that things will be different come the September 18 to October 31 tournament.
“The only team capable of beating New Zealand is the Springboks,” he said. “Unfortunately, due to the draw, I believe that will be in the semi-final and that one of these two teams will meet England in the final.
“I believe this because we have what every team needs and that’s the ability to play for one another, skill, speed and power.
“We’ve adapted our game, now it’s just about getting the last ten minutes of our game 100 per cent right to ensure we are fit, strong and mentally ready to overcome the last few minutes.
Just preparation
“The results in the Rugby Championship don’t really matter as this is just a preparation for the World Cup, ensuring that we are 100 per cent on the squad we want for England.
“South Africa always have a good chance of winning the World Cup as, not only are we second in the world rankings, but we have also won the tournament twice.
“On condition that our ten injured players will be ready for the World Cup, we will have an even better chance. Especially with Jessie Kriel, Damian Dialende and Bismarck Du Plessis, they are young, clever and understand their role in the team,” added Williams, who scored 70 points in 27 appearances for his country between 1993 and 2000.
