Former Ireland and British & Irish Lions loose forward Stephen Ferris says South Africa’s Twickenham triumph supports his hypothesis that the Springboks will win the World Cup.
The Springboks sent out a warning to Pool B rivals Ireland and Scotland by handing New Zealand a record-breaking defeat on Friday night.
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The Irish will tackle the Boks on 23 September, a game that is likely to decide the winners and runners-up in the World Cup pool.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Ferris, who won a Grand Slam with Ireland in 2009 and played at the 2011 World Cup, backed the defending champions to retain the Webb Ellis Cup.
“I said six months [ago] that South Africa were my team to go a long way in the competition and will probably win it,” Ferris told 2fm’s Game On.
“They have the numbers, they have the squad, the size, the bulk, the power, the physicality, and the attritional mindset.
“These guys can go seven weeks in a row against Ireland, the All Blacks or Argentina on the bounce, no problem – and have the physicality stakes at the same level every single time.
“I just don’t think Ireland are used to that and there are some question marks around our depth,” added Ferris.
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Photo: Adrian DENNIS / AFP