Springboks legend Jean de Villiers believes that they will face a significant challenge to retain their Rugby World Cup title following the end of the Six Nations.
In a thrilling competition, France lifted the trophy, snatching it from Ireland’s grasp following a last-gasp victory over England in the finale.
It is therefore not a surprise that those two teams caught De Villiers’ eye during the Six Nations, with the former captain particularly impressed by the quality of Les Bleus.
French quality and depth
“France are a massive threat for South Africa purely because of the depth that they are creating within their squad,” he told The Rugby Pod.
“The carriers that they have, the pack they are able to put on the park, the physicality that they bring plus the flair that you have from the backs… that’s quality.
“Still a question mark around their scrum and I think that’s where South Africa go, ‘there’s still an area where we feel we can get proper dominance’.”
After winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups, the Springboks are going for an unprecedented three-peat, but there are plenty of countries who could throw a spanner in the works.
Even at the last global tournament, they had to overcome a defeat by Ireland in the group stages to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
“Ireland has always been our bogey team. Call it for the last 20 years or so, Ireland has been our bogey team and we’ve struggled against them. We’ll always be cognisant of what the Irish can do,” De Villiers said.
“Also, this time around, not having [Andrew] Porter, not having [Tadhg Furlong, no Mack Hansen, no Hugo Keenan, they looked a big fragile at the start of the comp, but then once a Baloucoune and a McCloskey came through, they were tremendous.”
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Although De Villiers also stated that he’s “always wary of England”, they remained on the subject of South Africa’s record against Ireland.
The Springboks did comfortably defeat Andy Farrell’s men in the 2025 November series but, before that, the Irishmen had won four of the previous five meetings.
Even going back to 2004 – the Boks have claimed three World Cups since then – Ireland have won nine of their 15 encounters.
November success a ‘massive statement’
“I don’t know why we’ve struggled against them traditionally,” De Villiers said.
“I think the performance of the Boks in November last year was a massive statement. Points-wise there wasn’t that big a difference but the way in which the South African pack demolished the Irish pack, that was a statement.
“Maybe previously we weren’t able to do that. Maybe the Irish were able to outsmart us in the way that they play, get around our defensive system and then have some trick plays.
“They’re a clever bunch and I think they’ve gone through a period where they’ve had a really strong team.
“You play against a quality team and if you’re a little bit off, you lose the game.”
A rivalry has built between the two nations as a result of Ireland’s record and their rise to the top of the World Rugby rankings, which they held heading into the 2023 World Cup, and De Villiers believes it has been good for the game.
“Rivalry is great and it only gets created when it’s quality versus quality, when there is a sense of respect because you want to beat the opposition because you know they’re really good,” he added.
“I think there is animosity but I’ve got a great love for Ireland because of the time I spent there. I adopt them as my second country if anything, but it has become a big fixture whenever South Africa plays Ireland.
“What does that create? It creates interest and that’s what we want for the game of rugby.”