Stick: We Are Still The Best Side

Springboks’ backline coach Mzwandile Stick sparked a social media debate by declaring South Africa the undisputed best rugby nation, despite Ireland’s current number two ranking.

The Springboks dethroned Ireland from the top spot in the World Rugby Men’s rankings during last year’s World Cup, ending their 15-month reign. Although South Africa briefly slipped to third after a loss to the All Blacks, Ireland’s impressive Six Nations campaign has seen them climb back to second.

Stick believes the World Cup victory in Paris definitively settled the debate over the world’s best team.

“I think that argument for us it was sorted last year when won the World Cup,” asserted Stick.  

The two-time World Cup-winning coach downplayed the significance of the upcoming match against Ireland, stating that a win or loss wouldn’t change their status as world champions.

“A team like Ireland is one of the best teams in the world and winning or losing to them, at the end of the day we are still the world champions so that won’t change,” clarified Stick, prompting laughter from the media.

Since their 2019 World Cup triumph, the Springboks have steadily integrated talented youngsters into their squad. Stick suggests this focus on development contributes to their depth, potentially giving them an edge over Ireland.

“Between the World Cups, we probably have different goals than what they have,”Stick said, despite South Africa fielding the most experienced Springbok team ever, with 20 of the 23 players who started the 2023 World Cup.

“So, we normally try to get depth and also give players opportunities, that’s who we are. 

“For them maybe they’ve got a different strategy, they want to win 18 games in a row, if it works for them happy days but at the end of the day, one thing I know for sure is in the next four years the best team in the world will be South Africa.”  

The Springboks will look to secure a series sweep against Ireland in the second leg of their two-match series at Durban’s Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium this Saturday (5:00 PM).