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 The 2003 Rugby World Cup is shaping up to be a very entertaining sporting spectacle. England and New Zealand seem to be everyone's favourites but, as the previous World Cups have shown, anything can happen at the tournament. Australians are a famously sports mad nation and I'm convinced that they will put on a fantastic show, as they did for the Olympic Games, and that the players and spectators will be treated to a thoroughly professional and well organized few weeks. What of South Africa's chances then?
So much has happened this year to warrant us being written off. Beware of the wounded Springbok! The South African team has shown great grit and determination under pressure and have produced some of their most inspired rugby when all else seems to be against them. The two tests that spring to mind are the Cape Town test against the Aussies and the New Zealand test at the House of Pain. Although we did not win that last game, there were many positives to be drawn from it. The collective defence was the best performance of the year and we showed that we had the patience to control the ball for long periods of play. These two areas will be crucial in the World Cup. One real area of concern has been our inability to settle on a starting 15 and to build a team leading into the opening few games. The speed with which we are able to do this will contribute largely to the chances we have of success. Other teams to watch are Australia, France and Argentina. I don't think we have seen the best of Australia yet this year. They will definitely be spurred on by their patriotic countrymen and they are a team who know how to win. France, as ever, are unpredictable and Argentina may well turn out to be the dark horses, with a mix of power up front and some very exciting backs. For the players this will be an exciting as well as a nerve racking time. They have done all the hard work and now it is simply a waiting game for the first games to commence. It is also a time when players are away from their families and their support structures. Your prayers for the players will be much appreciated. Pray for families who are far away, for blessed bible study times when the Chrsitian guys meet up to spiritually support each other and also for God's hand of protection over our boys and all those who are taking part. I trust that you will enjoy Rugby World Cup 2003 as much as I will. God Bless, Andre Vos André hosts a Column and Forum on this website. His testimony is presented in The Way Forward.
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