RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Boks off to a fine start, but crucial Tests on horizon
The Springboks find themselves on top of the Rugby Championship standings after two rounds‚ a position they have not been in since the Tri-Nations in 2009. After back-to-back wins over Argentina‚ the Boks have amassed nine log points and edge the All Blacks on points difference a third of the way through the 2017 tournament. Of course‚ they still have to play the All Blacks and Wallabies twice‚ so reading too much into log position is a futile exercise for the moment. But after five wins in a row in 2017‚ one more than they achieved during the entire 2016 campaign‚ they appear to be on an upward curve. Starting from such a dismal base, though‚ it is hard to know just yet whether the curve’s trajectory will flatten out or plummet in the coming six weeks. If we are only looking at results, then the Boks are unquestionably better. But are they also better in terms of performance after playing three home games against a weak France and two Tests against a Pumas team clearly in decline? ...
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