Rugby-Springboks make a case for the defence at World Cup

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Wales v South Africa - World Cup warm-up - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - August 19, 2023 South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley/File Photo

NICE, France (Reuters) - South Africa have a potent attack with powerful forwards and dazzling backs, but it is their defence that could be decisive in their bid to retain the Rugby World Cup having conceded two tries in their last eight games at the tournament.

Since being breached twice in their opening loss to New Zealand in Yokohama in 2019, only Canada in the pool stages of that tournament and Wales in the semi-finals have managed to cross their tryline.