Former England international player Ugo Monye expressed the opinion that the Springboks are clear favorites to win an unprecedented third consecutive Rugby World Cup. He suggested that South Africa's second team could be considered the second strongest on the planet, even after a recent defeat to the Wallabies.
Speaking to LiveScore Bet, the former winger emphasized the depth of Rassie Erasmus's squad following their 3-1 victory over the All Blacks in a test series. He noted that even the recent error against Australia occurred amid significant player rotation.
Monye stated: 'They are clear favorites, without a shadow of a doubt.' He added that the team aims to achieve something never done before—winning three Rugby World Cups in a row. He also mentioned the recent series against New Zealand, which ended with a 3-1 victory, calling it another telling moment.
Monye stressed that South Africa's huge player reserve sets them apart from all other international rivals. He admitted: 'Honestly, there are parts of me that believe the best team in the world is South Africa, and perhaps the second best team in the world is the second South African team. Their strength is frightening.'
When assessing the main contenders who could challenge the Springboks' defense of the title, Monye named a familiar group of opponents. He noted that New Zealand, England, France, Ireland, and Australia would participate in the title race, calling them teams that could make an impression.