Two-time defending champions New Zealand face the toughest of starts to their Rugby World Cup campaign when they play South Africa on a heavyweight day two at the tournament on Saturday. After hosts Japan kicked off Asia’s first Rugby World Cup by beating Russia 30-10, the competition bursts into life with three games involving top sides. Australia play Fiji at the indoor Sapporo Dome before France take on Argentina in a crunch clash in Pool C. But the undoubted highlight comes in the day’s last match when the All Blacks rumble into action against their fiercest rivals, a Springboks side which held them 16-16 when they last met in July. While questions have been raised about All Blacks, now without their long-time world number one ranking, the Springboks are hotly tipped after a revival under coach Rassie Erasmus. Ahead of their meeting in Yokohama, which many believe could be a preview of the November 2 final at the same venue, both sides will be keenly aware that no team has lost in the pool stages and gone on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. New Zealand captain Kieran Read was in no doubt about the importance of the game, which… Read full this story
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