Sizing up four southern hemisphere giants before rugby’s autumn series

The Springboks want a clean sweep but Australia, Argentina and New Zealand may have more modest November targets.

PENALTY MACHINE: Ox Nche of the Springboks and Hollywoodbets Sharks. Pic: Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart

Four southern hemisphere giants are preparing for combat over the horizon. With 90% of all men’s World Cups, and having contributed more than 62% of the tournament’s semi-finalists since 1995, they arrive with reputations to uphold. Are they the forces they once were, or are they there for the taking?

South Africa