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Not fully-confident in South Africa

New Zealand has installed South Africa as slim favourites win successive Tri Nations titles, but confidence is not as sky-high in its homeland.

Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Sportal.co.nz

New Zealand has installed South Africa as slim favourites win successive Tri Nations titles, but confidence is not as sky-high in its homeland.

The Springboks have the toughest draw out of the three Southern Hemisphere juggernauts.

They face a tough three-match road trip Down Under where they meet the All Blacks in Auckland and Wellington and then the Wallabies in Brisbane.

The defending champions' three-Test home leg starts on August 21 against the All
Blacks at Ellis Park.

South Africa has never won back-to-back titles.

A poll on keo.co.za found of 511 voters, only 32-percent (168) expect the 'Boks to win both matches in New Zealand.

South Africa, like the All Blacks, completed an unbeaten three-Test June campaign as it trounced France 42-17 and twice beat Italy 29-13 and 55-11.

But most concerning for the World Champion is the loss of arguably the world's premier halfback, Fourie du Preez, who is out for six months following shoulder surgery.

The 28-year-old, who said will retire after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, is a key component of the Springboks' attack and his tactical guile from the base will be sorely missed during the upcoming campaign.

Across the Tasman, Australia has the All Blacks as favourites to win the Tri-Nations, with South Africa a close second and the Wallabies a distant third.

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