'World Cups do strange things to people': Faf de Klerk on Boks not being World Cup favourites

The “favourites” tag is earned through dominant form and winning, but it holds little value once a World Cup kicks off and teams face four years of preparation on the biggest stage in the rugby world.

That’s a point Faf de Klerk ran home when asked about the favourites tag for this upcoming Rugby World Cup in France.

The defending World Champions have won 19 out of their 30 Tests since their 2019 triumph, including a series victory over the British and Irish Lions.

That winning percentage hasn’t been enough to convince the pundits or the bookmakers that the Springboks are the most likely team to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in October.

Instead, the favourites tag has been wrestled between hosts France and World No 1 ranked side Ireland. Recently, New Zealand’s odds got a boost after winning The Rugby Championship and an unfortunate injury to France pivot Romain Ntamack.

“I don’t think the All Blacks or the Springboks, I don’t think we’ll ever not be seen as favourites,” de Klerk told Te Ao with Moana for Maori TV.

“I know in the past, South Africa’s maybe not always been there but I always think the All Blacks stand a chance to win it and I think they are mostly favourites.

“This year, just with France and Ireland being up there, a bit ahead of us, it makes it a bit more interesting but World Cups do strange things to people and to teams so it will be interesting to see what happens.”

The pressure of the bright lights at a World Cup is something players can only experience every four years and can make or break a team.

A large number of the Springboks’ players in this year’s tournament experienced those bright lights four years ago in Japan and thrived under them.

“Obviously one of my dreams was always wanting to play in a World Cup,” Malcolm Marx added. “After watching the 2007 World Cup that was in France.

“So it’s always been a dream for me and just to be there and the quality of players and the people you get to meet and the things you get to see, let alone the rugby you get to play, it’s absolutely unbelievable and it was something I’ll probably get to cherish for the rest of my life.”

The celebrations were rightfully joyous in the South Africa locker room after that final and many of the famous pictures from the festivities featured de Klerk wearing nothing but speedos with a South African flag. A now iconic bit of attire that the 31-year-old will be bringing out once more if his side lift the trophy again.

“Definitely. Probably the same (pattern), with the flag. We’ll see, hopefully they stay on.”