World Cup preview: Pool D
South Africa are in arguably the toughest World Cup pool with four teams boasting credentials worthy of filling the two quarter-final berths.
Defending champions South Africa are in arguably the toughest pool at the World Cup with four teams boasting credentials worthy of filling one of the two quarter-final berths.
Dubbed the “Group of Death,” Pool D could very well see the undoing of Wales for the second tournament in succession.
Fiji and Samoa have provided a number of upsets in past competitions and recent form suggests that a repeat is well within the realms of possibility.
Namibia, however, are set for a series of hidings.
SOUTH AFRICA
Obvious favourites to qualify as pool winners, the Springboks will be aiming to do what no team has yet managed – retain their World Cup crown.
South Africa have won the biggest prize in rugby twice and are attempting to rewrite the history books at the 2011 tournament. Victory would also give the Springboks a record third Rugby World Cup title, lifting them above two-time winners Australia.
Their title defence begins on September 11 against Wales – their first meeting with the Welsh at a World Cup. The Boks have never lost to Fiji, Samoa or Namibia and only once in 25 meetings against Wales.
Fiji gave the Springboks a fright in the 2007 quarter-final in France, and this is the second successive World Cup where the South Africans have been drawn in the same group as Samoa.
Last World Cup: Winners
Sky Bet odds: To win pool 1/5
Key player: Fourie du Preez
Pool prediction: 1st
WALES
Wales head to the World Cup with the omens against them when they face potential banana skins Fiji and Samoa.
First up for Warren Gatland's men is a game against Pool D favourites South Africa in Wellington, followed by Samoa in Hamilton, and Namibia in New Plymouth. The group phase ends with an ominous-looking match-up against Fiji.
It was the Fijians who broke Welsh hearts at the last World Cup in 2007, pipping then-coach Gareth Jenkins' men 38-34.
Wales also famously lost to Samoa in the 1991 World Cup on home turf, and with Samoa having recently beaten Australia, and a whole clutch of the South Sea Islanders plying their trade in top leagues the world over, Wales will certainly have their work cut out.
Last World Cup: Pool stages
Sky Bet odds: To win pool 4/1
Key player: James Hook
Pool prediction: 2nd
SAMOA
Samoa sent a clear message they will be serious contenders come crunch time and will be beaming with confidence after beating Australia less than two months ago.
Wales have the most reason to be concerned having underestimated Samoa in the 1991 and 1999 World Cups.
Samoa struggled at the last World Cup in France with one win from four pool games, and will see this tournament as a chance for redemption.
Last World Cup: Pool stages
Sky Bet odds: To win pool 20/1
Key player: Alesana Tuilagi
Pool prediction: 3rd
FIJI
Although the Flying Fijians have slipped outside the top ten rankings they are confident of rattling a few reputations at the World Cup.
Fiji have had a troubled build-up to their sixth World Cup with politics, form and injuries dropping them to a current 12th ranking behind regional rivals Samoa at 10.
Renowned for their Sevens' virtuosity, the Fijians have had a tough time matching it with their better resourced rivals at the World Cup but made it to the quarter-finals at the 1987 and 2007 showpieces.
Last World Cup: Quarter-finals
Sky Bet odds: To win pool 33/1
Key player: Seremaia Bai
Pool prediction: 4th
NAMIBIA
The lowest-ranked team at the World Cup face a huge challenge to win their first ever match at the tournament and might be expecting something of a whipping against the likes of South Africa, Wales and Samoa.
This will be Namibia's fourth straight World Cup, and their record of no wins and 11 defeats underlines their position as long-shots.
The tough opposition suggests the Namibians are unlikely to break their World Cup drought.
Last World Cup: Pool stages
Sky Bet odds: To win pool 1000/1
Key player: Jacques Burger
Pool prediction: Last