World Cup: 10 weeks to go

If anyone thought that last weeks sensational win by South Africa over Scotland was a flash in the pan - a well prepared visiting team meeting a home side that had not played together since the Six Nations - then Saturday's second test put that right, with South Africa coming back from 14-7 down at half-time to win 41-17, superior fitness telling in the final quarter in particular when it seems that they ran amock (see Scrumqueens and SRU reports).

Only USA and Canada - who meet in a two game series starting tomorrow (or just after midnight Tuesday, our time*) - have any full internationals left now before the big kick-off at the end of August, though all the Home Nations have arranged one or more "training games" due to take place over the next month or so.

It still looks like an England v New Zealand final (though it is quite possible they could meet in a semi-final), but beyond that it could not be closer - and its the battle for 3rd-6th that will actually be the most exciting things about the tournament. USA, Canada, France, Ireland and now South Africa all have great chances of reaching the last four, as do Wales if they can recover from their Six Nations disaster and play like they did in 2009.

Tickets are still available apparently - and RFUW have said that they can increase capacity at Surrey Sports Park if all the current tickets go - so if any other World Cup is boring you a bit at the minute, the good news is that something that promises to be much more interesting is getting closer every day!

*And for the insomniacs amongst you, both tests can be watched live at midnight Tuesday morning and 1.00am Saturday morning our time