Springbok Siya Kolisi. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said their Rugby World Cup opener against a "great" Scotland team in Marseille on Monday is the perfect opportunity to kick-start their title defence.
The Springboks have not enjoyed the best of starts at the last two World Cups, losing to Japan in 2015 and New Zealand four years ago.
However, that defeat to the All Blacks in 2019 galvanized the squad to play G��knockout rugbyG�� from their second match, with the Springboks advancing through the pool and eventually lifting the trophy.
There is more expectation on them this time around but Kolisi said having to play an in-form Scotland first up in a Pool B that also includes world number one Ireland has sharpened their focus.
"When it didnG��t go well in 2019 every game became a playoff for us and that was good," Kolisi told reporters on Friday. "I think any team would want to start like this so that you can see where you are and then make your plans from there.
"A lot has been said about our pool, but at the end of the day you have to beat the best to win the World Cup. It doesnG��t matter how you do it."
Kolisi said Scotland would present a tough challenge but feels the Springboks' meticulous preparation will stand them in good stead.
"They are a great team, they have been playing amazingly, you can see that in their results. We give them all the respect, but we have prepared really well," he added.
"We have seen a lot of them and that is why we go into the game with confidence, because of the work we have put in."
Playing in the United Rugby Championship for the past couple of seasons means many of the Scottish, and Irish for that matter, players are well known to the Springboks, something that would not have been the been the case before.
"It has played a huge role. Before that, you would only see some players for the first time in internationals," Kolisi said.
The flanker added that this was arguably the most open World Cup since the first tournament in 1987.
"I donG��t know if people see us as favourites, we don't think about that," he said.
"What I do know is that everyone is coming for what we have, and we will give everything to defend it."
Scottish hopes
Scotland have plenty of confidence they can upset the champions but will have to break new ground.
Coach Gregor Townsend has developed a settled squad since a first round exit in Japan four years ago, one that is hitting form at the right time.
But they have never beaten the Springboks outside of Scotland and lost their last seven in a row against the three-time World Cup winners.
"It's obviously an opportunity for us," Townsend told reporters.
"That's the way we look at it. You have to play at your best to beat the best teams.
"Success (at this tournament) is delivering what we believe are capable of. No doubt there'll be times where South Africa have dominance and points on the board. There'll be times when we are unable to execute things as well as we like.
"And that's not because it's the first game of the World Cup. It's because of the opposition and what they bring with their pressure.
"But we we've got to find a way to win. And that's what this World Cup is about, finding a way to win."
Townsend accepts his side are underdogs, but believes the never-say-die mindset that saw them come back to beat France at home and narrowly lose the following week in Saint-Etienne in the warm-up fixtures can help them get over the line.
"That mindset is a good one to have but we also need to believe we can win," he said. "And if we're ahead of the game, we need to put the foot down and keep playing and doing the things that got us ahead. So you just got to balance that underdog spirit with the mindset that you're here to win."
- Reuters