Rugby-Springboks may be forced to play second fiddle again

By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, Aug 13 (Reuters) - South Africa's annual quest to knock arch rivals New Zealand off their pedestal begins again in the Rugby Championship, with little to suggest any impending change in the status quo. A key injury, disappointing returns by South African sides in the recent Super Rugby competition and unconvincing form by the Springboks in June's warm-up internationals suggest the challenge may again prove a bridge too far. The Springboks finished runners-up to the all-conquering All Blacks in the four-nation competition - which also includes Australia and Argentina - last year, beaten both home and away by the New Zealanders in performances that emphasised the competitive nature of the rivalry but also the gulf in all-round quality between the two teams. In nine tests against the All Blacks since 2010, South Africa have won just once, when both Dan Carter and Richie McCaw were rested ahead of the 2011 World Cup. Read More http://ift.tt/1l244xG