Deans delivers 'kiss of death' for SA rugby

You know you're in trouble when a Kiwi coach starts telling you how good you are.

That was the case this week with South African rugby and Robbie Deans, coach of the Super 12 champions Crusaders.

Even before his team came to grips with Super 12 impersonators, the Stormers, Deans was generous. First he said the Super 12 and the World Cup were worlds apart and South Africa need not be concerned about their dismal performances in the provincial competition.

Then, on Friday night, after his team had demolished the Stormers 51-13 with a superb and ruthless second-half performance, Deans predicted that the Springboks would beat England in their World Cup clash in Perth on October 18. Asked for reasons, he put it down to "instinct".

"South African rugby has the ability to beat anyone in the world," said Deans. "It's all about the vibrant mix."

He said the All Blacks were "lucky to get home" when they last played the Boks - a 30-23 win in Durban when the Kiwis scored in the 76th minute after the teams had been locked 23-23.

But England? After their record 53-3 win over the Boks at Twickenham last November?

Deans stuck to his guns and said there was little difference between the top teams in the Super 12 and those at the bottom, such as the Stormers. Try telling that one to the 27 000 who came to Newlands on Friday and left with long faces.