Photo: thesouthafrican.com
Rugby World Cup: Pool B standings, fixtures, live scores and results
Don’t miss any of the live scores, results and fixtures from Pool B at the 2019 Rugby World Cup which features New Zealand, South Africa, Italy. Namibia and Canada.
Photo: thesouthafrican.com
New Zealand and South Africa have met four times at Rugby World Cup tournaments with each claiming two wins over the other. The age-old rivals are set to face off once more in the pool stage this year.
Italy are the dark horses in Pool B and even managed to beat the Springboks in 2016. However, Rassie Erasmus has turned South Africa’s fortunes around since taking over as head coach early last year.
The Springboks have met the All Blacks three times since, winning one match, drawing one and losing one. Steve Hansen’s men have a tough task on their hands as they look to prove that they are still the world’s best.
South Africa have had obstacles of their own to overcome in the build-up to the World Cup. Winger Aphiwe Dyantyi tested positive for banned substances whilst lock Eben Etzebeth was accused of racial abuse during a Langebaan altercation, which he has denied.
Nevertheless, they showed their strength in a 41-7 warmup win over hosts Japan, laying to rest some of the demons of 2015.
South Africa’s near neighbours, Namibia, join them in Pool B. This will be their sixth Rugby World Cup, but they have lost all 19 of their previous pool stage matches.
Canada have fared slightly better, participating in every World Cup and making the 1991 quarter-finals. However, they lost all four of their 2015 games.
Surprisingly, Italy have never made it out of their pool at a Rugby World Cup despite winning a respectable 11 out of 28 matches at the tournament.
Teams: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy. Namibia and Canada.
