A Kiwi rugby writer says that New Zealand rugby can help the Springboks rise again by backing South Africa’s bid to host the 2023 World Cup.

The Springboks, under coach Allister Coetzee, lost eight of their 12 Tests in 2016, which included at least one defeat to every team they played against this year. This resulted in the Boks plummeting to sixth in the World Rugby rankings, their lowest position since the rankings were introduced in October 2003.

'New Zealand has to do something to help South Africa before the old enemy disappears off the face of the rugby world,' writes Gregor Paul in the New Zealand Herald.

'The real way for New Zealand to help South Africa is to support the latter's 2023 World Cup. The vote for the hosting rights is in November next year and the choice is between Ireland, South Africa and France.

'As always, each has obvious merits: compelling reasons to win votes. South Africa's case, though, is the strongest for the overwhelming reason that if they don't put some kind of definitive marker down to give the game a long term objective and unifying mission, then a heavyweight is rapidly going to be recast as a middleweight.'

Read the rest of Paul's column

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