Rugby’s Terrific Titans bring Paris World Cup final to South Africa – don’t miss out!
I have always thought the Rugby World Cup final should be a best of three Test series. That way, there can be no complaints about who is number one. In the next fortnight, the 2023 World Cup finalists at least get to go back to back in Johannesburg and Cape Town. It doesn’t get bigger in international rugby, writes Mark Keohane.
The All Blacks in South Africa, back to back Tests, up north at the most iconic Ellis Park and then in Cape Town at the DHL Stadium for the historic first ever clash between the two giants at the new rugby stadium down south.
The Boks are four from five in 2024. The All Blacks are four from five.
Both won’t reflect on the four wins, but the one loss.
The All Blacks, losing at home to the Pumas in the Rugby Championship opener. The Boks, not backing up the season-opening Test win against Ireland in Durban’s second Test, will haunt them.
Ireland left South Africa with a drawn series. Argentina left New Zealand with a drawn series. This hurts the two most successful rugby nations in the sport, in any era. No two teams have won as much over a 100-plus years and between them, they have won seven of the 10 World Cup finals.
The Boks edge the All Blacks 4-3 in World Cup titles, but in the Rugby Championship it has been New Zealand 20 titles, the Boks four titles and Australia four titles. To quote Eddie Jones, the maths does not add up.
Scott Robertson, in his first season as All Blacks coach, will never forget that gut-wrenching defeat to the Pumas in Wellington. Equally, he will never forget going to Ellis Park with the Crusaders and winning the Super Rugby title against the Lions. It was a first in the competition’s history – a team travelling to the Republic and winning a final.
It is the Rassie versus Razor show for the next fortnight. It is a World Cup condensed to the two best teams over a period of 14 days.
It is going to be epic. Both stadiums sold out several times over.
The Cape Town Test was determined by a ballot, but to ensure there was still the option for local Stormers supporters, the owners of the Stormers kept back some tickets. If those loyal locals purchase a Stormers season ticket for the 2024/25 season, they can still get an opportunity to attend the biggest Springboks game in Cape Town since 2017, when the All Blacks last played in the iconic global city.
It was proper business done in rugby in an all-win situation.
Nearly a third of the All Blacks squad has never toured South Africa because of the split in Super Rugby. They are in for a treat.
Form and home ground advantage favours the Boks, but the All Blacks are the most successful international team in the Republic. They know how to win here, especially since the game turned professional.
The next fortnight will be one of reverence and respect. It will be about honouring the occasion of the sport’s two biggest players.
It will be magnificent.
Thank goodness we have this weekend off, internationally, to be mentally strong enough for the next fortnight.
