I wonder if we are not running away with the success we have in this years Super 14. Remember how Peter de Villiers first matches as Springbok coach panned out.  We  must be careful, we might break the continuity we build up. Lessons was learned last time, are we going to make the same mistakes?

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Has South African rugby been in a healthier state than is the case right now? I don’t think so.

Just a year out from the 2011 World Cup, New Zealand coach Graham Henry must be a very concerned man. And while things are looking up in Australia for Robbie Deans – thanks mainly to the emergence of some of the Reds players this season – the man in the pound seats is Peter de Villiers.

There are four rounds to go before this year’s Super 14 semifinals take place and right now it looks as if only the Crusaders of the five New Zealand teams will make the playoffs. The Chiefs and Hurricanes – two potential semifinalists at the start of the season – have slumped badly and their star players are battling to make an impression. The Blues have again blown hot and cold and the Highlanders have, as always, flattered to deceive.

Australia’s Reds are in fine form with a number of their players providing Deans with plenty of optimism for the year ahead as well as for the World Cup. The so-called “dream team” of the Brumbies though will do well to make the semifinals, while the Waratahs have been too inconsistent to hold out a realistic hope of going all the way. And as for the Western Force, well, they’ve got some quality players, but as a unit still have some way to go before they’re going to be challenging for the playoffs.

South Africa meanwhile are looking good to have both the Bulls and Stormers in the semifinals and, who knows, perhaps they’ll finish one-two and host their playoff games.

Looking ahead though, the good news for De Villiers is that he has absolutely no concerns about finding personnel to slot into his Bok team later this year. Or next year in New Zealand when the team look to become the first team to defend their World Cup title.

The good form of a number of Bulls and Stormers players this year, coupled with the experience and class of the Sharks’ players and the individual brilliance of one or two men from the Cheetahs and Lions means the Springboks should be favourites to win all the competitions they’re involved in from now until the World Cup.

Besides the regular Bok starters, a number of other players have put their hands in the air, ensuring De Villiers will have some tough decisions to make later this season.

There is now depth in all positions – even at flyhalf due to Peter Grant having found his form again – and the players are literally queuing up for the starting spots.

Should Henry, Deans and the world’s other coaches be fearing the Boks? Absolutely.

By Jacques van der Westhuyzen