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'South Africa's second XV beat New Zealand's first XV': 101-cap veteran
By Josh Raisey
World champions South Africa have three teams that could possibly beat any other team in the world currently, former England scrum-half Danny Care has claimed.
The 101-cap veteran, who retired from international rugby earlier this year, made this assertion on his podcast Hits Different alongside fellow host Mark Atkinson and current Harlequins coach, former All Black Nick Evans.
In the section of the show labelled 'Debatable', Care and Evans discussed whether South Africa now produce better rugby players than New Zealand. However, the conversation descended into whether the Springboks' second XV could beat the All Blacks' first XV.
While both Care and Atkinson believe a second-string South Africa side would come out on top, Evans vehemently disagreed, saying they had "no chance".
Of course, the sides have already met this year, with South Africa coming out on top in back-to-back Tests on their way to winning The Rugby Championship. Scorelines of 31-27 and 18-12 show how close both encounters were, but the Englishman believes the Springboks' bench, plus seven more players could achieve the same feat.
"You look at the strength in depth in South Africa right now and think they could put three different XVs against any other team in the world and I think they might win or be very, very close," Care said.
"I think currently South Africa's second XV would beat the current New Zealand first XV.
Atkinson added: "I think they beat them. If you're signing individuals, then Kiwis still seem like better rugby players as individuals, but at the moment it's hard to argue that South Africa aren't producing better teams.
The Quins legend cited former team-mate Andre Esterhuizen, who left the Stoop this summer, as an example of the depth that the Springboks currently have following a Rugby Championship where the centre did not see a minute of action.
"Look at the players that can't even get in the South Africa team," the scrum-half added. "Andre Esterhuizen, one of the best players that's ever worn a Harlequins shirt, currently can't get a game for South Africa. He would be in the second team. I think they beat New Zealand's first team.
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Latest Comments
Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
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