The 2024 autumn rugby internationals have concluded, providing a compelling preview of what to expect in the lead-up to the 2025 Rugby World Cup. As the top teams fine-tuned their squads and strategies, a clearer picture emerged of the primary contenders for the sport’s ultimate prize. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from the November Tests and assess the state of play heading into the new year.
Springboks Flex Their Depth
South Africa, the reigning world champions, sent an ominous message to their rivals by going unbeaten in the autumn while utilizing a whopping 51 players across their matches. The Springboks’ ability to seamlessly integrate new talent into their system without missing a beat is a testament to the incredible depth they have built in recent years.
As lock Emmanuel Meafou put it, “The aim is to have the two best teams in the world, all in one squad.” With their “A” and “B” teams both looking capable of making deep runs in the World Cup, the Springboks have firmly established themselves as the team to beat.
England’s Defensive Dilemma
England snapped their five-match losing streak with a comprehensive win over Japan to close out the year. While their attack finally clicked, the two tries they conceded highlighted ongoing issues with their defensive system. As head coach Eddie Jones noted, “It’s just not quite clicking for them yet, it’s not far off, but how long do you give it?”
England’s defence has been exposed at times this autumn.
David Rogers, Getty Images
With the World Cup fast approaching, Jones will need to decide whether to persist with the current defensive philosophy or make tweaks to shore up the holes that have been exposed. Getting the balance right will be crucial to England’s chances of making a deep run in the tournament.
Scotland’s Golden Opportunity
Scotland capped off an encouraging autumn with a convincing win over Australia, proving they have the quality to mix it with the best in the world. With a settled squad and a number of world-class players hitting their prime, the Scots have a golden opportunity to make a splash in the upcoming Six Nations and build momentum towards the World Cup.
It’s time to put our neck out there and do what we know we can do.
Blair Kinghorn, Scotland fly-half
As winger Darcy Graham emphasized, “The pressure is on us. We’ve got world-class players everywhere. It’s just about doing something with that.” If Scotland can harness their potential and deliver consistent performances, they could emerge as dark horses in both the Six Nations and the World Cup.
France on the Rise
France made a statement by going unbeaten in November, highlighted by a thrilling win over the All Blacks. With a potent mix of established stars and exciting young talents like Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Les Bleus look poised to mount a serious challenge for the Six Nations crown and establish themselves as one of the favorites for the World Cup.
As head coach Fabien Galthié noted, “There is a lot of competition in this squad and it’s good for everyone. We had a weird year after the last World Cup but for this series we had the best possible team of the moment.” If France can maintain their form and momentum, they will be a formidable force on the global stage.
All Blacks’ Catch-Up Mission
While the All Blacks had some bright spots in their first year under head coach Scott Robertson, it’s clear they have ground to make up on the Springboks, who have beaten them in four straight matches. The emergence of lock Tupou Vaa’i and the return of scrum-half Cam Roigard from injury were positives, but questions remain at fly-half and in the back row following the retirement of captain Sam Cane.
With Richie Mo’unga playing overseas and currently ineligible for selection, the All Blacks will need to find a long-term solution at No. 10 to steer their ship. While they remain a formidable side, the gap between them and the Springboks is evident, setting up a fascinating battle as they look to reassert their dominance.
The Stage Is Set
As the dust settles on the autumn internationals, one thing is clear: the 2025 Rugby World Cup is shaping up to be an incredible tournament. With the Springboks setting the standard, England and Scotland poised to make noise, France on the rise, and the All Blacks on a mission, the competition for the Webb Ellis Cup will be fiercer than ever.
The next two years will be crucial as teams look to build cohesion, depth, and momentum heading into the showpiece event. Every match, every training session, and every selection decision will be made with the ultimate goal in mind. Rugby fans around the world can look forward to a thrilling journey as the best teams and players on the planet converge to determine who will be crowned world champions.
The road to Rugby World Cup glory starts now, and if the autumn internationals are any indication, we are in for one hell of a ride.
