Victor Matfield believes only three teams possess the quality to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in Australia next year, with the Springboks among the favourites.
The Springbok centurion and former captain said the All Blacks’ recent tour of South Africa will prove invaluable for Dave Rennie’s side heading into the 2027 World Cup, but insisted the Boks remain firmly in the conversation as one of only three genuine contenders.
“I think this will mean a lot to the All Blacks,” Matfield said on SuperSport’s Final Whistle presents Side Entry show.
“They will go away knowing what they are going to face at the World Cup. We must go into a World Cup as favourites. It doesn’t matter what happens in the next few games we play.
“I’ve said it from the beginning: there are just three teams that can win that World Cup – us, the All Blacks or France. I don’t think there’s any other team that can win three big games, and I think that’s why Rassie [Erasmus] said three games. If you want to win a World Cup, you need to be able to win the quarter and semis, and it will be three tough games.”
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Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett, also on the panel, criticised the tournament draw after it emerged South Africa and New Zealand will meet in the quarter-finals if both sides top their respective pools.
Should that scenario play out, the winner would likely face France in a semi-final – provided Les Bleus also top their pool and navigate the round-of-16 and quarter-final stages.
Mallett argued that path would leave the Boks facing their easiest opponent in the final, should they reach a third consecutive showpiece.
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