KEY POINTS:
South Africa have the whole country behind them and have the best chance of winning the World Cup since 1995, said the former Springbok Corne Krige.
"Usually in South Africa, we're our own biggest enemy. We cock things up way before the World Cup but this year it's all smooth sailing," Krige said.
He said the press are only talking rugby and the continuity of Jake White's selections over the last four years has paid off.
In 2003 the Springboks hit the headlines when photos of 10 naked players huddling together in a lake at a rugby training camp were published.
But this World Cup is different.
"They're a happy bunch. There's been no press reports about a split in the camp, no nothing. Everything has been about the rugby which is fantastic," Krige said.
He said the South African press can "get personal" and that gets tiring.
"But to be honest, the media haven't had anything to pick out. Every one is pulling in the same direction," Krige said.
He said the Boks have shown this year that they can take on the All Blacks.
"If there is one team that can de-rail or beat New Zealand in a final it is South Africa," Krige said.
He said in a final it will be 50/50 as to who wins but the Boks can put pressure on in the line-out and have got the game plan to win the Web Ellis trophy.
Krige said the All Blacks have been strong in the build-up and he is aware of the public belief behind the black jersey.
The former flanker said he enjoys watching Richie McCaw play and knew the current All Black captain would be a phenomena from the day he first played against him.
"I love it that the whole world is bitching and moaning about the fact that he's playing so illegally. If I was Richie I'd be going to bed having a little chuckle. He must know that the opposition is worried about him," Krige said.
He said the Boks also have a strong open-side in Schalk Burger who will be made a star at this World Cup after coming back from injury.
Krige said leadership is crucial and Australia have the edge in that department with their experienced backline.
But he also rates McCaw as a captain even though he may lead by example instead of chatting to his players every few minutes.
"And John Smit gets criticism because he's not seen as charismatic and he's not seen as talking to the guys all the time. But the most important thing is the players respect the captain," Krige said.
He said Smit won't talk to his players every few minutes just because it looks good on camera.
"In John Smit, the South Africans have got a fantastic leader, a world class leader. The South African captain has a more difficult task than any other captain in the world. He has to deal with racial issues, with cultural issues, with religious issues, with language issues. It's an incredibly difficult job to do," Krige said.
He said the Boks will meet the All Blacks in the final although New Zealand fans would probably prefer to play against Australia or France.
"But New Zealand versus South Africa will be a titanic battle and a re-union of 1995 and it will be an incredible final. "
Final prediction
New Zealand versus South Africa
"A 21 - 19 score to either team. One try on each side and goal kicking".
Corne Krige's Springbok career
Name: Corne Krige
Born: March 21, 1975
Position: Openside flanker
Debut: June 10, 1999
Points: 10, two tries
Caps: 39
YOUR PREDICTIONS
It's only weeks away from the Rugby World Cup and we want to hear your predictions of who will win. Who do you think will be in the final and what do you think the score will be?
We'll run your predictions online and you could be the winner by picking the right score.
The winner gets to the right to call themselves the Rugby Brain of New Zealand... and our sports team at nzherald.co.nz will also rustle up a prize for the most accurate prediction.
