Why are the southern hemisphere teams dominating the Rugby World Cup?

[@Darren_S]

Hey Matt! Thanks for giving us extra motivation to win the WC. 👍😉

[@MobBarley00]

Can’t wait to hear the coming moans about how rugby “lost” with the SA win. Am going to enjoy drinking Matt’s bitter tears.

[@kobusdewet5004]

​@@MobBarley00Matt who? Loser

[@demainesolomons6007]

Baie dankie uncle Matt!!!!!

[@thomasrodwell563]

You guys are so bitter. I watch the show regularly and Matt is critical of many teams and people without prejudice. You only choose to notice when it's about South Africa

[@MobBarley00]

@@thomasrodwell563 yeah he is an all round dick rather than just being a dick toward SA.

[@TuppsMuliau]

Respect to my South African brothers. Well done 🇿🇦 Much respect 💯👏🙏My All Black brothers, tough luck fellas🇳🇿👌💯

[@mahlanguism]

I would’ve said the same if we lost. We won by a missed kick. Nothing more. You guys are top class.

[@thabo3866]

Thank you😇

[@HhhFff777-q4c]

Respect is mutual Brother All Blacks winning yesterday would have been more than well-deserved Bokke may have won the 4th World Cup - but over time the All Blacks still are the Team and County for even us, as Springboks, to catch up to on stats and history

[@simtembilemgidi7326]

To be honest if we lost to NZ I wouldn't be that hurt, it would've been more of an honour and knowing the cup was returning to the Southern Hemisphere.

[@sibzism]

Next ones yours brother 🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🙏🏾♥️🇿🇦

[@charltheron2769]

Rugby World Cup matches of teams versus the Top 6 ranked teams played - Scotland played 2, won 0 against the Top 6 - England played 1, won 0 against the Top 6 (Reached Semi-Final ! ) - France played 2 won 1 against the Top 6 (Reached 1/4 Final) - All Blacks played 3, won 1 against the Top 6 - Ireland played 3 won 2 against the Top 6 (Reached 1/4 Final) - Springboks played 5, won 4 against the Top 6 The above showcase how difficult the road was for the Springboks.

[@rhyswilliams4006]

And confirms the greatest finals run in the history of the RWC

[@simingayemasimula118]

This is crazy when you think about it

[@SimXperienceGaming]

Here is another crazy stat to add, After normal full time of the 2 Finals played between SA and NZ there has only been a single point difference in 2 games combined

[@MrAhuapai]

There was really not much difference between NZ and SA paths in the run up to the final. Both teams played one top contender in the pool matches(NZ vs France,SA vs Ireland ) and both lost those matches. In the QF they swapped over between France and Ireland and both won. In the semifinals they played Argentina and England both ranked at the same level(Argentina had won well in the leadup games). Argentina didn't turn up and England did. In the final if Jordie Barretts penalty kick had gonea couple of feet to the right we wouldn't be talking about this. The margins were tiny . SA were worth champions but a bounce of the ball the other way a change of head angle and the result would of been completely different.

[@siphelele8]

@@MrAhuapai😂😂😂

[@fariedaclassen6045]

World Cup Championship is the Ultimate success...the Southern Hemisphere knows who they are and what must be done to win. 🇿🇦 🇿🇦 🇿🇦 🇿🇦 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 2023🎉🎉🎉🎉 And to the All Blacks - thank you for giving us the most epic final..as usual your rugby skills and talent were out of this world and the Springbokke had to dig deep. Respect and love to All Blacks from Springbokke fan😊

[@MrBlack_rugby]

Greatest rivalry in Sport. The respect between the Boks and All Blacks is like no other and I absolutely love it. Most rivalries are bitter but not ours

[@dallorto194]

It comes down to history and purpose! The Springboks and All Blacks play for something greater than themselves, they play to give their people hope. It will always push them to dig a little bit deeper.

[@gambit4354]

ab fan much respect to to the boks they earned their spot the hard way

[@Pid75]

As a kiwi who is actually more a football fan than a rugby fan, i’d say that it’s part of our cultural identity. The rugby knowledge of the average dad coaching his sons team is probably higher than many club coaches in other countries. In fact most mums in NZ are pretty knowledge about the game. We are a small country and this is one of the few ways we can make a splash in the big wide world…so we make sure we do.

[@RicksPhatPharm-vw2lb]

Exactly, if you live in the commonwealth down south rugby is part of societal fabric. It's like baseball and NFL in America

[@unitedrealtalk5087]

Rugby is number 3 sport in Ireland and best athletes not playing rugby. Look at 3 Gaelic footballers barret bros playing for nz

[@zakaiacvitanovich]

You lot were arrogant for four years! All we heard was how we’d lost dominance and how it was going to be 4 NH teams in the SF! And you’re still disrespecting us! Keep it up!

[@Lawless2401]

​​@@unitedrealtalk5087weak excuse sports like softball and hockey wouldn't even make the top 10 sports in NZ yet they've been multiple world champions in both you're celebrating Irelands success in rugby but you've never won a world cup

[@Lawless2401]

​​@@zakaiacvitanovichSA would've got smashed if it wasn't for the red card and officials on their side the only 2 times SA beat this AB combination was when they were carded out of the game

[@PaulMarais-g9q]

We in South Africa and New Zealand life and breathe rugby. It's like football for UK and Europe fans. And no matter how both teams might struggle sometimes, when we play against eachother both teams just go to another level. They bring out the best in eachother

[@nandodg]

The Boks manage their team well. England relies on Farrell, France on Du Pont, Ireland on Sexton etc etc.....the Boks have a team mentality and make their players realise they are not bigger than the jersey. The ABs talk about you borrowing the jersey....it's an achievement and it's a team effort If you are subbed you don't lose your cool, it's for the team. Lubbock was subbed 30 mins into the game because he wasn't kicking at the correct times and so Pollard was brought in....the NH commentators were all shocked and made a big thing out of it....Lubbock knew it was for the team. Sam had a red card, NH commentators and supporters thought it was the end of the game for the ABs but the Boks all knew that just meant that the ABs were going to play even harder.... Rugby in the NH is a class based sport....in NZ and SA, it's a culture.....

[@IAMJEFFREY-cw9ns]

South Africa and Argentina are the ONLY 2 nations with 100% homegrown players i.e. all of their players were born in their respective countries.

[@margaretelford8309]

NZ is a bit different because of the pacific islands, there’s a lot of cultural and economic history there

[@markkeogh2190]

SA are Full of Dutch.

[@pauljansen6650]

​@@markkeogh2190from like 400 years ago 😂😂😂😂 let it go

[@hsmedsvik]

@@markkeogh2190 so NZ is full of british?

[@IAMJEFFREY-cw9ns]

@@markkeogh2190 So according to your logic, NZ are full of Brits? NZ are definitely full of Samoans & Tongans.

[@TibbyRIP2023]

Everyone talking about NZ and South Africa from Southern Hemisphere but forgot to mention the rise of Fiji as a powerhouse. Once the Polynesian teams receive the resources and support as to the tier one nations the Northern Hemisphere won’t stand a chance.

[@andrewjohnston3440]

Only a few weeks ago South Africa had lost to Ireland, New Zealand had lost to France and Australia had been hammered by Wales and people were talking about the demise of southern hemisphere rugby now we're discussing its alleged dominance. I don't think it is dominant - maybe marginally better would be a more realistic description.

[@jpfowlds5921]

9 wcs vs 1 lol

[@thomasvinsen1410]

Lol. Englands the only one with a World Cup. France is the only other team to even make the final 😂

[@NzNicK253]

They’re talking about World Cup winning dominance.

[@redherring4119]

The gap is still sizeable. NZ are in transition and yet have reached another world cup final in the northern hemisphere beating the greatest Irish side ever. That should put things in perspective. The gap looks like its narrowing only because NZ are in transition and South Africa prefer to play conservative defensive style rugby which lends itself to close games.

[@derrickorourke8454]

All well & good winning tests that ultimately don’t mean anything if you can’t win it really matters and northern hemisphere teams traditionally do not

[@teorewatepou1493]

It's not so much as desperation for the ABs and us supporters. It's a belief and faith we have when we come together . Stand proud, Stay humble.

[@pilgrim3387]

Imo, southern Hemisphere teams will do anything to win or to stop a team from scoring a try. They will take yellow cards all day and back themselves playing with a man down. Ireland and france will have to bring that win at all cost mentality going forward

[@jeromeh7985]

No yellows but once with no TMO O'Keefe in QF. Gold watch for him like Bevan in 1995?

[@braMiNi0N]

From my experience...Growing up in South Africa, being there for 26 years, rugby is everywhere. We start at schools under 9s...Its free to play. Matches, tournaments etc. Practices 4 times a week and matches on Saturday where schools attent and support. I have now stayed in Ierland for 8 years, love this place. Rugby exposure and support is so low and weak. Sports rarely get played at schools, unless you belong to a club. I am very impressed by Ierland rugby as they are a small nation, but performing among the top teams in the world..but just imagine what they can achieve if rugby was available easier and exposed to more people. This is why I personally think Southern Hemisphere is always dominating, sports starts at a young age. At schools we got rewarded for participating in sports and supporting teams aswell, was a shock to see that it doesnt happen this side.

[@bafanamahlatse1923]

Rugby is popular in South Africa but it's the second most popular behind football.rugby trails behind football in terms of popularity,participation and revenue in the country. Rugby is not played in many schools.infact only 12 percent of all schools in the country actually have a rugby program.these schools tend to be the old whites only schools in the country.all springboks in the 2023 squad went to schools,except mapimpi. It is very difficult to play rugby, especially if you come from poorer backgrounds.the rugby region in South Africa is the western and eastern cape,infarct most springboks in the squad hail from these provinces.rugby is very rarely played on a large scale in the other provinces

[@mikezog1030]

In Australia they have the same problem as Ireland and you can see it in their senior rugby achievements.

[@johntaplin3126]

​@@bafanamahlatse1923Rugby only played in the Western and Eastern Cape???? Certainly soccer is more widespread, like pretty much every country, but school rugby is at an amazing level, where 'football' is pretty rubbish. The Free State is home not only to the Cheetahs, but Grey Bloem, probably year on year the best rugby school in the world. Rugby in KZN, Gauteng, really?? The Eastern Cape doesn't feature in provincial Rugby these days.

[@bafanamahlatse1923]

@@johntaplin3126 there is no school soccer competitions similar to rugby.concidering kids who play soccer are part of local clubs that participate in small leagues.the leagues are not regulated by any school or safa .that's why u'll rarely hear the term " schools soccer tournaments" . In the freestates.the vast majority of schools actually don't have any rugby program.rugby is mainly in swanky private or model c schools. Having a provincial team doesn't mean a sport is widely popular in that region or province.in KZN and Gauteng rugby is still a tiny sport compared to football.the best attended sporting events in each province are usually soccer games

[@meeshnozigqwaba8972]

@@bafanamahlatse1923 dude the best footballing high school program for the past couple of years was grey college, speaking as someone who played both of these sports at 1st team level at prestigious school, you’d be surprised how much footballing talent in fact comes out of these schools. the english schools almost all had football but due to safa not having the correct structures in place schools find it hard to intergrate into the footballing system as we did with rugby. when i was in school we played had national high school tournaments for football like the st peter’s & st stithians festivals even including schools like clapham high (notorious for producing lots of the sundowns talent) who even won the st peter’s tournament in 2018 if i remember well & hilton college in 2019 but i can tell you one thing there was but 1 scout there from a football club. the truth is football being played more means nothing because rugby is played widely at a much higher level whereas in football only a select few get to play at that high level. having at least 100 schools yearly playing rugby at a more than decent level defeats 300 schools playing damn near grassroots football with no hope of progression & no improvement of talents.

[@bikeman9899]

Shane is spot on about the frenzy NZ brought in the first 15 mins vs IRL. It was ferocious stuff, and while IRE absorbed it, it was enough to get the edge to beat IRE in the QF. Well done to SA their tenacity and discipline throughout the tournament were incredible . NZ were immense yesterday. In that 2nd half, they could have scored on several occasions, but were denied by dogged defense and a bit of bad luck. Only one point in it, says it all really.

[@Centre14]

ireland looked gassed after the first 15 mins

[@bikeman9899]

@sky_3168 I tend to agree. The sustained ferocity of NZ in that first period was as much mental as physical. I am sure Faz and the IRE coaches will learn lessons from this tournament.

[@Centre14]

@@bikeman9899 the will jordan try assisted by mounga's linebreak from the lineout was too easy of a score. can't win championships if you're conceding sof tries like that.

[@malibuman6160]

What I took from the World Cup is there’s the ‘Big Four’ - very like tennis a few years ago - that when they play against each other, it’s a coin toss - who’s better on the day - the bounce of the ball - etc. I wish there was a ‘mini world cup’ in between where you’d just have the top 8 teams on world rankings play each other in knockout (quarter finals onwards). 4 years is just too long in between. Ps. I do think South Africa play with a higher purpose for their country for the World Cup and that will is what makes the difference for them.

[@johnlewis2972]

Its all about the school rugby competition in sa and newzeeland ,it is super intense.

[@terrymccarthy5600]

South Africa have a strong scrum , strong reliable lineout , rugby cuteness , a kicker now , and huge heart . Kolisi is a mighty rugby person. He takes being beaten , replaced early , criticised in his humble , appreciative nature . South Africa to win ..

[@geoffneal9146]

No backs?

[@jacobjorgenson9285]

They suck in the rain 🌧️

[@ierikopj]

Rugby in NZ and SA is our way to have a voice and a place in the world sort of speak. For us is Rugby, other countries is military might, wealth, history, or politics. So, when we are losing, it is easy to get up for the next game and smash teams because it is the only way for us to feel good against the world. We play rugby more than just a sport but it is a way of life. The All Blacks and rugby is a religion, and a spiritual aspect of being a kiwi like soccer for Brazil.

[@dulls8475]

True and a little sad at the same time.

[@stephenlennon7369]

Not a religion but part of a nationalistic feature of what makes NZ today which also includes the Maori culture hench the haka

[@dannyarcher6370]

@@dulls8475 A little sad? Speaking as a Saffer, I can say that it speaks to South Africa's maturity as a nation when it has to rely on a World Cup win every four years to hold the whole bloody thing together. It's not going to solve the crime. It's not going to stop the decay. It's not gonna stop the corruption. It's not going to stop the blackouts. A year from now, there'll be elections and the majority of the morons celebrating this white man's sport will return the ANC or an ANC-led coalition to power.

[@laverdad2022]

Like football to Argentina Brazil is a global power bro

[@martinbynion1589]

Actually, Football (soccer) is a much bigger game in Sth Africa. Rugby is massive in the small minority of Whites, especially Boers, not some much amongst the other 55 million people in the country.

[@B1V5Y3S2]

southern hemisphere has 9 world cups, northern hemisphere only has 1 world cup, it shows that rugby is southern hemisphere, now me as a south african i now wish that argentina can also lift the webb ellis cup , they are so hard working and they also deserve it. but it doesn't matter because in football southern hemisphere(argentina) has the fifa world cup with brazil winning the most fifa world cups, so with that said southern hemisphere are kings of rugby,football and cricket too seeing that australia has the most cricket world cups.

[@randomuruk7230]

Brazil have the most world cups because they won them when no one played in world cups.

[@markreid1932]

Buddy, if you're talking about hemispheres the North has more football and cricket world cups.

[@sarfarazhussain5411]

​@@markreid1932are u delusional? Go and check, which hemisphere has more WCs, it is southern hemisphere.

[@markreid1932]

@sarfarazhussain5411 just wiki it, it's easy. Not delusional just right.

[@Bossman525]

Not in cricket mate India 2 Pakistan 1 Sri Lanka 1 Australia 5 West Indies 2 v England 1 @@markreid1932

[@johnhanson5943]

Meat, sun, many good rugby schools, personal discipline, a community spirit and a belief in God.

[@ianjacobs2998]

So 👍✔🙏🙌

[@stanleycolene]

Belief in God is not necessary for all the rest. We are a multiplural, diverse society.

[@UsyksmashedFurytopieces]

What’s the sun go to do without? Human beings grow bigger the colder the climate. See Bergmanns rule. Why do you think all the strongest men in the world come from northern and Eastern Europe?

[@brandwessels8582]

​@stanleycolene Well that's certainly one way of looking at it. 😂😂😂😂

[@tiftif4366]

NZ weren’t firing becoz of the loss of SA physicality from Super Rugby. NZ super teams get more than enough physicality from each other. NZ still got the players and depth but just have to get coaching, timing, cohesion etc right. When we do we make the RWC final to give ourselves a chance to win it. NZR and ARU have to work together to better the Super Rugby concept as it’s now up to them to make it work better. We’ve learnt from being in Ireland’s position of no.1 between WCs. We know it from both ends. Ireland just have to make it past quarters to learn the same.

[@aiurea1]

I always thought NZ, SA and AU need eachother. I remember a playoff game between Stormers and Hurricanes when the Stormers were beaten hard at home and one of the reasons of the defeat, told by the Stormers coach, was that they didn't have any games agains NZ teams during the regular season. They were not acustomed to their rythim

[@pauljansen6650]

Yes NZ and Aus shot themselves in the foot big time with the Super Rugby move

[@aiurea1]

@@pauljansen6650 SA seems better, but can they play in the Heinken cup too?

[@JacoLuus]

​@@aiurea1they did this year, sqaud depth was a problem

[@austingtir]

Your on drugs mate NZ matched everything the boks threw at us today physicality wise (other than peter steph dutoit who imo was probably the difference player wise (if you take the refs out of the equation) but thats always going to happen when you take the opposition flanker out of the opposing team Pieter Steph is probably always going to have a field day against 14 men for most of the match with Cane gone. The boks never even looked like scoring a try when we left two or three begging. The scrum and lineouts went nowhere and imo the AB's were clearly getting the better of the boks at the end of the game in the scrums. The boks were beyond lucky like all their xmases coming at once that they got Barnes and that TMO panel refing this game. I KNEW as soon as I saw who was refing this game last week NZ were in deep chit. Barnes and that same TMO bunch stole the Ireland series from us a year back in almost identical circumstances with dubious red cards.

[@jmo8934]

We were close. Very close but not quite there. SA and NZ both have rugby as their national sport, have a rich history in it and both got to the final again. They have the belief from having done it so many times before. That’s why from Ireland’s point of view we need that breakthrough. It won’t seem so hard after the big we can do it. Much like beating the ABs for the first time.

[@relebohilevincentmotlokoa4781]

In SA football is their national sport not Rugby ✅ Rugby is 2nd to Football 💯

[@randomuruk7230]

​@@relebohilevincentmotlokoa4781 No the national sport of South Africa is cricket not football.

[@ccahill2322]

@jmo8934, Baloney, baloney. You are as usual with some of the "Irish fans" kidding yourself. The Irish coaching staff had ample time to prepare a squad to win the world cup. They simply carried on where "Joe" left off with a few tweaks. Despite all the bull they failed and should all resign or be fired. But none of that will happen and the mugs will be kept on the "carrot" line. Irish Rugby, like World Rugby is controlled by the money men as so long as the situation remains like it is then, just like the economy, it will be all "smoke and mirrors." I had written, a month before the Irish game where they got knocked out, again, what would happen and why. I have not heard back from this, previously so sure fan on how the squad was picked. Irish rugby has a problem just like the FAI had a problem. There are no Jack Charltons' left and there are certainly none in Irish Rugby, not now nor in the past.

[@jobe1888]

Rugby is not our national sport in SA.

[@jmo8934]

⁠@@ccahill2322Jack Charlton? Lol. You do realise you have posted a pretty incoherent ramble?

[@KobusVanStaden-j4c]

As long as northern hemisphere rate guys like Matt Williams you will never, never, never, never get anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@eddieingalls534]

I think a lot of it comes down to investment in the young. The Aussies and Kiwis have quite enviable facilities for kids wanting to play sport and on top of that, NZ and SA have decided rugby is part of their identity - meaning even more kids will give rugby a go and so now we start talking simple maths. If you have top coaches and scouts watching kids who just enjoy playing the game, you soon spot those who could make it big and in Oz and NZ that infrastructure is in place. SA just seem to have a winning mentality like no other, am not sure that can be taught.

[@simpslayer7839]

Sorry Ozzies players are lacklustre

[@Rugby2000]

I think something has to be said about the development of School-Boy rugby in the NH. Yes there are brilliant rugby schools in the NH, however the average SA and NZ schoolboy team, would 9 out of 10 times win against a NH schoolboy side at random. We forget that in all rugby nations, our stars are found at school first, so having a schoolboy system such as that in South Africa especially, puts you lightyears ahead in the process of developing world class talent. If you look at the demise of Australian rugby, it's largely to do with the fact that their schoolboy system has fallen apart ( Yes due largely to lack of interest and access in non-private school ), and you contrast that to South Africa, where it is almost sacrilege to not play rugby during your school career - the talent pools are just infinitely larger.

[@jamesmiller400]

I was looking for someone who mentions this. Thank you.

[@brkforu]

How do you explain that a country like France is 3 times in a row U20 Word champions then ?

[@jamesmiller400]

@@brkforu rugby schools

[@Rugby2000]

@@brkforu valid point - after school politics becomes complicated in SA. But its not a debate that South African schools are the best rugby schools in the world.

[@bafanamahlatse1923]

Only 12 percent of south African schools actually play rugby.rugby in South Africa is in the same position as australia.the sport is mainly found in a small group of school. The avarage South African child hardly plays rugby or has exposure to it.

[@bernarduscairncross2221]

I'm a rugby coach, in many rugby playing schools, we begin our 1st rugby training session at 5am , before the school day starts.

[@markreid1932]

It's simple, there are a handful of countries where rugby is the #1 sport. NZ, Sa, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa probably Georgia. For everyone else it's a niche sport.

[@athigrootboom3974]

Rugby is not no1 sport in SA bru

[@nepiahemopo1702]

Wales.

[@andrewnel-m3x]

well done gentlemen - thoroughly enjoyed your insights throughout the world cup.

[@mjribes]

The Northern illusion gave way to Southern reality.

[@lauchlanmccutcheon1716]

SH teams play far more rugby at school level than NH. South Africa has more school kids playing rugby than all Euro kids together. Same with NZ. Not a secret not difficult to understand.

[@illusionist75]

Ireland and France are right up there with SA and NZ. There was precious little between those top 4 teams this year. If they played each other 10 times each game would be a coin toss

[@HhhFff777-q4c]

That is fact - from a Springbok support !

[@geoffhughes225]

Exactly, there are 5 or 5 teams well capable of winning a WC,

[@nepiahemopo1702]

Ireland and France are WC chokers.

[@cgfnortje]

You are 100% correct. As a South African, I know that we take rugby more seriously than anyone else on this planet, except for NZlanders, who are basically the same. We follow each other on KZbin, and we're also very active on European platforms online, especially Irish and English KZbin channels. Rugby is part of our DNA, and it's the same with our NZ brothers. It's not just a sport for us. We are fanatics when it comes to rugby. We honestly don't have much else working in our country.

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

now its for cricket, hope SA win it also, will be history in the making if SA do it,

[@ablewilling2778]

Agree mate. Although South Africa are at a massive advantage with 600,000 registered rugby players compared to tiny NZ’s 150,000. Given the size mismatch it’s amazing NZ ever beat South Africa let alone have a 70%+ record against them. Two great nations 🍻

[@Pid75]

The rivalry between NZ and SA goes back a very long way. It’s good to see that the professional era hasn’t changed that.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

You guys need to learn your history. Both NZ and South Africa have been the heavyweights in World Rugby since 1903.Both countries have been physically stronger and tougher than their opponents and judge themselves against each other. South Africa won their only series in NZ in 1937 and NZ had to wait till 1996 to win a series in SA. The series of 1921, 1928 , 1937, 1949, 1956, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1976 & 1981 are the foundations of this great rivalry.

[@annettekolb3103]

You are so wrong 1995 means a lot to everyone. I was 15 and have never missed a world cup and every single 1 made me proud

[@lwazimbokazi7955]

rugby is like a religion to southern hemisphere countries especially south africa and new zealand.

[@naeeanvideos]

NZ were close, but not there and they'd be rueing their chances. Anyways, t's a humbling experience to see the joy this world cup has brought to South African rugby fans and the nation.

[@KryptonIstheFuture]

We were rolling our eyes big time

[@YeshuaisEMET]

Mr Matt Williams from Ozzie, thanks mate you really did us a good one by being on our case all WC. So we say this one was for you...MATE.

[@GailWilskit-k4t]

The northern hemisphere ,great advice for you from springbok supporter,thomas muller ,the great geman football striker said ,before the 2014 fifa world cup final against argentina,they got messi,we got eleven germans ,germany scored one goal,mario gotze,germany won their fourth world cup .winners get remembered,thats how the springboks play rugby,thats how defences win trophies and world cups, asked jose moutinho,he will tell you,if irelands defense was better against new zeeland,they would have won,take note.

[@altaafkader9675]

Great punditry. Spot on. South Africa and new Zealand show up to win it. Others just come to make it to the quarters and then go home

[@Davidvx1468]

SA and NZ are the undisputed kings of Worldcups/knockout rugby, no question

[@hsmedsvik]

@2:05 South Africa’s form beforehand was great. 1 loss to NZ in July, the rest was great victories over Aus, Arg, Wales and NZ. Even if you go one year back to the autumn series SA beat Wales and England with big numbers, lost to Ireland in Dublin with only a couple of points, and only a couple of points against France in Paris with one man red carded most of the game.

[@monunyabidness5949]

Not to mention BEST DEFENSE IN THE WORLD. They all seem to forget that.

[@interestedbystander196]

​@@monunyabidness5949 Indeed. In the final, SA made 259 tackles comparsd to around 95 by NZ.

[@kirkclearidge7616]

South Africa is very good 😊

[@atoms-to-atoms]

Shane and Rob are just fantastic rugby pundits. Especially the look gives Matt every time he spews more incoherent clap-trap ..It has been the best RWC due to this high level of analysis...Brilliant from the team..cant wait for February!

[@jaconortje5009]

Its rather simple, the NH teams don't tour enough. They play the SH teams in the Autumn series in one off games at home, when the Boks and the AB's have had two massive games against each other and 4 tough games against AUS and ARG. The NH teams then beat the SH teams in these one off games and think they are the best in the world.

[@randomuruk7230]

Touring didn't mean anything to Ireland, so clearly that's not the problem. The reality is rugby is a second rate sport in northern countries while it's the foundation of a national identity in regards to NZ and SA. Rugby is the 4th most popular sport in England behind Football, cricket and tennis (even golf is close) 5th most popular in Ireland behind Gaelic, Hurling, football and apparently basketball now (although that's just by viewing rather than playing), In France you have football, tennis, basketball and even handball ahead of rugby.

[@hyonimarru]

@@randomuruk7230 With those stats, then the NH should not be expecting much in terms of World Cups.

[@winco68]

Well the days of Rugby tours are coming to an end and to be fair they were really just a legacy from the amateur era. From 2026 with the introduction of the Nations Championship and and an expanded RWC from 2027 expect to see more international rivalry and hopefully an improved Tier 2.

[@hyonimarru]

@@winco68 Sounds exciting, I am just worried whether World Rugby has the money for all of this.I think the body needs to focus on developing the teams that are already at the World Cup and make it they have a higher level and regular exposure to games. For me the nations cup is a nice idea, but tier 1 players will struggle with the workload, as it is, our Boks play a huge amount of games as it is. Also, could there be a thing as too much rugby?

[@winco68]

@@hyonimarru Yes there is definitely a thing that is too much rugby! BUT from what I’m hearing in regard to this sea change within the sport is growth and expansion being 2 of the main drivers. This will hopefully bring extra financial investment from sponsorship, merchandise and ticket sales as well as tv and pay to view streaming. In turn this will also mean greater investment in club/provincial rugby and more depth in the national teams meaning more potential for rest and squad rotation to prevent burnout. It will also raise the standard in Tier 2 and hopefully make them more competitive as well as increasing interest in the sport in those nations. An increasing interest in Rugby in football mad countries has been seen in this WC in relation to Uruguay, Chile and Portugal. Also established Tier 2 nations such as Georgia, Japan and Fiji etc will reap the rewards of increased exposure to the top level. With more of their players based in Tier 1 nations this will strengthen their national game. We can only wait and see but let’s hope it all works out! Something had to change for sure and I think this is the best way of shedding the elitist image of Rugby Union and helping to make it more inclusive and relevant.

[@mhlengintswane9052]

"the will to Win" makes 🇿🇦 and🇳🇿 the best teams in the world

[@joelpeterk]

To quote Crosby, Stills and Nash: ''When you see the Southern Cross for the first time You understand now why you came this way" RUGBY!

[@ziyahhavea355]

Love it!

[@JayDaDonKing]

😄So close and yet so far, it don't matter, southern hemisphere rugby rules baby!

[@kobusvanrensburg4092]

Ireland has come on in leaps and bounds. France has become more consistent as well. However, Rugby is more than just a sport in SA and NZ. It is as much a part of life as waking up in the morning and going to bed at night. It is our pride, passion and to many - an identity. The Northern teams will never have that.

[@andrewkelly7799]

What utter nonsense, self delusion knows no bounds

[@nokomokwele6205]

Just to give a simple analogy here in SA, my nine year old son has been drafted into the school team and will train at the same facility as the one the springboks use, and as a parent the fee is subsidised by the school

[@Cyril_Squirrel]

The guts of it is, that the Northern Hemisphere produces excellent teams occasionally, but there is not the consistency apparent in the Southern Hemisphere. Year after year after year, the All Blacks win against Northern Hemisphere teams. Now and then a Northern Hemisphere team will win a couple, then normal service resumes.

[@eugeneloggenberg2314]

The Boks provided the tournament with 3 of the Greatest 4 Games quite probably in the History of the WC...that being the Pool B match against the Irish...the Quarter Final against the Favorite and Home team French & the Final against their Arch Nemesis the All Blacks...the Quarter Final match between the Irish & All Blacks making up the 4th one. The Boks played against the 5th, 3rd & 4th Ranked Terms during the duration...Winning an Unprecedented 4th Title as well as Equaling the All Blacks's Back to Back record....8 WC Appearances - 4 Gold 2 Bronze & 2 Quarter Final exits...a Win Ratio of 50%...and you'll have to be a Brave man Bet against them from possibly Winning the 1st Treble in history...with Rassie at the helm + whomever to become the next coach + Enough Player Depth who will surely come through the SA Machine/Factory - it is a Definitely Possibility !

[@RoeRogan231]

We need to get rid of the scrum so that Northern Hemisphere teams have more of a chance. Its not fair that people who come from harder places are harder and function better under pressure 🥲

[@RoyBattyLives]

Shaggy is 100% correct.SA and NZ feel like they belong in final, anything less is a failure. It’s mindset. They go up several levels at a World Cup.

[@stonefish1972]

We ( NZ, SA, AUS) are reared on sport from a young age and come from competitive sporting circles and competitive culture. Which drives us to be stronger ,faster , ball skill, sport brain and it all starts at school.

[@brianoneill4227]

Yeah Australia are doing really well lately mate 😂

[@patrickporter6536]

No participation medals!

[@alankennedy3747]

You're only better because you've better weather than us. 😂😂😂

[@hermannwaschefort3891]

1995 and 2007 had a massive impact on last night!!! Most of the players were young boys and saw their parents jumping for joy when we won those cups… Winning big games were deeply embedded into their core DNA in their early years…. Don’t tell us that 1995 had no impact… you just don’t know because you never experienced it.

[@shaheempashua6924]

Honestly the Irish came into the world cup off a great run but that world number one ranking was a world cup winning medal for too many of them Look now the Bokke won both their world cup titles the Webb Ellis and Ireland's world cup trophy the number one ranking🤷🏾‍♂️🇿🇦❤️

[@acadoe]

I think the guy on the right, sorry i don't know his name, nailed it. In SA, i'm sure it is the same in NZ, the expectation is that we win the whole thing or it is a failure. I don't know if expect to win is the right word, but there is definitely an expectation to perform. And I think that makes a difference when the pressure is really on. I don't think the pressure necessarily negatively affects other teams, but it seems to push our players to perform more than their stats, so to speak.

[@brianoneill4227]

When discussing the NH and SH gap in rugby you have to take into account the history of it. The three main SH nations dominated the game for most of rugby history and especially since the World Cup era and for years Ireland, wales and Scotland were a few levels below those nations(except the welsh team of the 70s). England and France have always been able to compete, but in recent years the gap has well and truly closed on a larger scale. Ireland went years and years without beating Australia, South Africa, France and New Zealand but since 2000 that’s all changed gradually by getting more and more wins over the years. These once “invincible” are not seen like that anymore but still the next hurdle for NH teams is performances in rugby world cups. France and England still make semi finals and finals even when they’re not actually very strong but Ireland can’t make it passed a quarter final with a greater team than the 2007 and 2019 England side and the 2011 French side, mainly due to a mental block that France and England don’t have in the early knockout rounds. The gap was once much wider and it has closed, but in world cups sadly there is just a mental block for some nations that needs to be overcome.

[@moremimowela2542]

Enjoyed this panel

[@GGRUGBY]

Congrats Springboks 4 trophy Beating France by 1 point Beating England by 1 Point Beating All Blacks 1 Point 🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@glenrayner1138]

For South Africa and NZ rugby is the be all and end all when it comes to sport. And it shows in their dominance of the sport and what it means to them as nations. Aussies, Union used to be and now it’s more League and football. Hence why their Union team is in decline. Football is a much bigger sport in the European countries. Rugby Union is seen as an elitist sport in Britain in particular. England in particular has a big North (League) & South (Union) divide.

[@AidanHolland]

Yep exactly for a country like Ireland to do well at rugby it would have to be the no 1 sport like NZ and Sa. It won't be due to irfu not going into certain untapped areas of the island.

[@winco68]

@@AidanHollandSome Irish people just aren’t interested in Rugby and I don’t think it’ll ever be more popular than the 2 Gaelic sports and then there’s soccer (football) too.

[@bafanamahlatse1923]

Football is actually the biggest sport in South Africa by a very large margin.rugby is an elitist sport in the country.its mainly played in private and semi private ( model c) schools.

[@nepiahemopo1702]

​@bafanamahlatse1923 it's never been elitist in NZ. There are elitist schools, but that's no garuntee to success.

[@MarcoV_dj]

1) NH sides have NZ or SA born players in key roles , this has elevated the margins closer & helped them alot (Ire, Scot, France, Eng, Italy). 2) Also calling saffas fans ' unsufferable " or boing the Haka is also something both the Boks & NZ fans don't do , we respect the challenge , our foe and history , we respect the Haka , if you go to the AB or Bok fan page theres only respect , we dont mind losing to each other 4) NZ & Boks if we hold the no.1 position we know this does not entitle us to win the WC 5) NH sides have always been second fiddle to SH sides , only in the recent times have NH side become contenders , 6) We are experience at this stage , we not newly arrived.

[@iceman6547]

Couldn't have said it better myself. There is no better rivalry. The way the whole NH behaved towards us after the quarters spoke volumes- they thought they had arrived. Much respect to the Kiwi's from a Saffa 🇿🇦

[@okanui]

also they have had kiwi and Aussie coaches over many years.

[@patrickporter6536]

​@@okanuiengland's recent aussie was a beaut, mate! 😂

[@martinbynion1589]

Ten World Cups. Nine Southern Hemisphere wins. Nothing more to say.

[@Frog13799]

I don't know much about the secrets of the feared All Blacks, but I can tell you in South Africa, chicken is a vegetable, daily living means hardship and Rugby is a religion.

[@shireendaniels3055]

Southern Hemisphere Teams knows how to win world cups. Ireland relied on their number one ranking status. France relied on homeground advantage and last but not least England relied on Bill Beaumont to win the world cup for them in IRB boardroom.

[@Ronny.81]

Many many parts of Ireland don't play rugby because it's not being pushed by the IRFU, loads of potential talent falling through the cracks.

[@AidanHolland]

For context Australia opened its institute of sport in the 1980s i believe. Ireland opened its institution of sport in abbottstown in i rhink 2010/2011. This is starting to bear fruit at the Olympics and will be a plus for the future. Australia, nz and sa now how to nurture takent. Ireland is starting to do it.

[@HM-mw7cg]

It’s literally skills and the culture that fosters them. There’s no substitute for skills at the very highest level. Tactics can only get you so far. When the weather is shit like last night, not dropping the ball, physical skill and quality handling abilities will get you over the line. Northern countries doesn’t have the same high school pedigree of NZ and SA

[@Lejarzamikel]

SA and NZ are always hungry to will world cups, not winning them is not an option to be considered. That is thE difference,

[@BruceMacgregorCampbell]

SA and NZ expect to win every game.Its'expectation and self-belief that is ingrained in those two teams. NH sides hope to win a game . Its all in the mind.

[@jimbokiwi9322]

It very simple really. Up until very recently the southern hemisphere Tri nations /championship and Super rugby club rugby was a better standard of rugby being played. Now the northern hemisphere is littered with southern hemisphere players and coaching staff. They are now playing a equal standard of rugby. So now the gap between the hemispheres is very small.

[@terrenceniedermeyer7102]

It's simple, Living in the South is tough and the people are naturally living a tough life. Therefore the South have what it takes be harder and tougher in the dark places. And it's proven by the fact that the North now trying to remove scrums due to how soft the North is.

[@happysaffa8871]

The reason is southern hemisphere teams do the talking on the field and not in the media.

[@margaretham5832]

In South Africa rugby is woven into the fabric which holds the country / communities together. A way of life. Start playing at age 6. You are very proud if you play for the Under 7 team. 😂. Really.

[@rhyswilliams4006]

"What does '95 mean to South Africa, zero (indirectly)" Sad to see such knowledgeable people have "zero" understanding. 1995 means EVERYTHING, to EVERYONE in this country and always will. The spark that lit the flame in 2007, which fuelled the BLAZE that is KOLISI!

[@nikilandella6136]

Ok... so I'm not a huge sports fan, I watch World Cups so take what I say with a pinch of salt. Watching both your pros and the comments from fans... as Europeans you guys strike me as very "soccerish" in your approach to Rugby, your expectations and your complaints... Also - as a non fan I have watched only two rugby matches: 95 against NZ and now against NZ... and you have no idea what playing agaisnt our NZ brothers means to us. Even in my elation I was heartbroken for them... as I said... I don't care about sport. The positive impact these two teams have had on the South African psyche for decades is what moves me.

[@ven_one]

We just just built different. We are bigger, stronger, faster, and smarter. Oh and we get handed a rugby ball with some droe wors(dry wors/sausage)from day 1.

[@clibo1]

Rugby shaped culture here in South Africa and it's still doing it. Mandela noted that and made it one of his priorities in unifying South Africans. Also the Springbok us just a majestic animal. The green and gold colours looks so good and have meaning in itself. Captain Siya Kolisi is a symbol at this point. Playing rugby in highscool is such a flex really so part of growing up.

[@geoffneal9146]

How do SA make green and gold look good, and Australia so bad?

[@jacobjorgenson9285]

Shame they suck in the rain . AB play really well in the rain , just saying

[@ashishd380]

​@@jacobjorgenson9285not really our fault it only rains certain times of the year in South Africa, so aren't exposed to playing in the rain as much as Nz or NH teams.

[@ianweston6919]

Everyone over analyses this sport. There are 6 to 8 top teams who can beat each other on any given day. Really fine margins at play, influenced by on field decisions, yellow and red cards, the weather, and the infamous bounce of that oval ball. There are some very good teams here and most of the knock out games could have gone either way, as could the final.

[@okuhtttf]

@@jacobjorgenson9285both did tonight but NZ came second

[@andyntimbane7567]

Exactly, the Northerns do not have the Southy mentality...we always go for a win!

[@JM-ky2nm]

Correct, the mentality up north is wrong. The Irish were proud of their team when they only reached QF after being number 1 leading into the RWC. Their coach even got an award. That shows that the expectations are too low.

[@craybro]

These guys really don’t understand a SA or NZ mindset, they should have got some on the show

[@Kenny-zn6dl]

I think the mindset is different with southern hemisphere teams, namely South Africa and new Zealand, lose a pool game, nothing at stake, lose an autumn friendly, nothing at stake, summer tour nothing to see here etc etc.... knockout world cup match, different attitude entirely, lose and you're gone, so its win at all costs!! Ireland and France didn't believe they could topple South Africa and new Zealand in a knockout game and so it proved, the media told us that France were favourites because they were hosting the tournament and that ireland were world ranked no.1 so they were both hyped up by the same media, both beaten by small margins but they lost their quarter finals, and so we'll probably listen to the same waffle and hype for the next 4 years until Australia 2027 and I will bet my life on a South Africa or New Zealand champion 😳

[@joaquinjoaquin3992]

France got robbed dude

[@Kenny-zn6dl]

@joaquinjoaquin3992 yes I agree France were robbed, as were England by the same margin, but unfortunately history will only tell us that they lost.

[@hvlyvoice9127]

You're basically right about your media, and you're making a big mistake listening to them. They're only (got to be) saying something to fill up the airtime or column-inches. They're not saying something to be balanced opinion or decent reporting anymore, those days are gone. But you're wrong about tour games and other internationals. The All Blacks are "expected to win" (- quoting Sean Fitzpatrick) - every game - and want to win every game 'for the jersey'; I don't see any compromise in any game - and I think SA are the same. I expected a France-Ireland final: In different ways they both thought it was 'their year'. In the end there was not much in it. Just down to who turned up on the day with their A game. So much to say, but it has been a great tournament, with some massive games which will keep us buzzing, and is still keeping us buzzing, for a good while to come.

[@sihlethomas6676]

@@joaquinjoaquin3992 this is the reason why NH teams will not win WC anytime soon, instead of working hard and improving you guys always complain... 2027 RWC will stay in the NH until u guys stop putting blames and start working hard and win the right games.

[@patrickporter6536]

Waffle and hype don't win anything.

[@mikezog1030]

And they also have knowledge of how much playing several consecutive high intensity games in a row can kill your chances - something that left Ireland flat footed against NZ. And then even when you have knowledge and skill and talent and depth, it is still just a bounce of the ball on the day... and so you have to pitch up with all of that consistently at several world cups in a row.

[@WahChingU]

To all respect to Rob Kearny....I dont think either NZ or SA players would have thought about NH teams for a minute

[@dulls8475]

A point in it for games that could have gone either way.

[@interestedbystander196]

Not sure what he was saying there about none of these guys have won and pedigree doesn't matter. Some of those ABs were in the 2015 Champion team, quite a few of the Saffers were in the 2019 team. Sure, 1995 doesn't have a direct bearing, but the last couple of tournaments certainly do.

[@philanidhlamini9492]

For South Africa it's not all about rugby, it goes beyond that as Siya Kolisi would say, it's that diverse people, cultures and different people from different backgrounds and walks of life coming together and giving hope to people in hopeless situations and Siya epitomises that perfectly as he did not have a support structure because her parents were absent and her grandmother took him in and sacrificed so much to making sure her grandson was fed. It is that which feeds into team's purpose and grind added into a culture of a rugby playing country the results are often devastating as you have seen. European teams are more often overhyped more than anything and the culture of undermining the All Blacks as well as the Springboks which will forever be their demise.

[@GiftTrevor]

That's rugby is our thing. It's in our spirit. That's why❗️🔥

[@daggaboom]

Finally these pundits get it. France and Ireland have significantly closed the gap. But their media made a catastrophic mistake in writing off SA and the AB’s.

[@PowrAl]

My highlights are the desperation and expectation of these pundits on Virgin. 🤣🤣🤣

[@jd4062]

Australia has been the number 1 nation for the past 100 years. They have won every world cup. I feel bad for the New Zealand and England teams.

[@mervynpeters]

SA schools rugby is the cornerstone of the Boks success. The Bok DNA is in primary school and high schools rugby.

[@anaheramitai1418]

To be picked as a All Black you have to play in NZ. A lot of teams allow their players to play overseas.

[@mickser101]

10 World Cups 9 won by Southern Hempispehere

[@siphotheguy1870]

The thing that amazes me the most is that on the only occasion that a Northern Hemisphere country has won it was England. Those guys never win anything in sport so it is a surprise.

[@shanowilliams9851]

gotta say wonderful insight..from these guys..first time ive agreed..but true this time..well done bokke well done from gutted kiwi..nemind lads..the sun will shine tomorrow..come home too the whanaus..have a rest..relax now for a bit

[@perbylingram7076]

Well said and so true. Next year = SA 30th anniversary of democracy. The Rugby World Cup had to come home for that, or else

[@milantrajceski8322]

Dont forget to bring Ben O'keeffe as well!

[@FloatLikeABee]

theres something called spirit! and thats what you are missing. The spirit of winning the 1995 world cup lives on through the boks and the fans, its an absolute direct effect and it ls tangible. You northerners will not understand it.