Methinks that the shoot-out for top spot should be between SA and England. Could be closer than what we think, depending on the injury situation by November. Neither team is blessed with outstanding, All Blacks-like 45-man depth, and a couple of crucial injuries shortly before RWC can swing it either way.
If both teams arrive fully fit though, I`m pretty confident of a SA win, simply because we`ve managed to do the business once last year already, at Twickers, and with more than half of our 1st-choice team missing.
England have certainly improved immeasurably since November, there were some flashes of brilliance in this year`s 6-nations, but we`ll see more come the May and June incoming Tests in Osfontein and Pretoria. By all accounts, Jake White wants his likely RWC match-22 in action for those 2 games, and it should be a good indication of where both teams stand at this stage of proceedings.
As for the Manu and Tonga, both have the ability to produce a mighty scare, but they simply don`t have the pack to do the business against 2 of the bigger and better packs in world rugby. They might have tremendous pace and flair out wide, they may tackle like demons, but in the 15-man code, you can`t do the business without the ball.
USA have drawn a helluva group, and might just find themselves out of their depth. Last year`s 50-plus drubbing by Canada must still be fresh in the memory, and they`ll be facing 4 top-quality sides here.