Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus had high hopes for the team’s five-week tour to the UK and Europe as he departed for London with a small group of players and management on Sunday ahead of next weekend’s opening Test against Japan.
The squad departed for London in different groups in the last few days, with the full group set to assemble in the UK on Monday morning.
The Springboks will face Japan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 November, which will be followed by Tests against France at Stade de France in Paris (8 November), Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin (15 November), Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (22 November), and Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff (29 November). All five matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Erasmus looked forward to the tour on Sunday but admitted that it would be challenging with five Test matches lined up and the quality of the opposition they are facing abroad.
“We are excited about the tour and to measure ourselves against some of the best teams in the world,” said Erasmus.
“A lot of hard work has been put in behind the scenes since the Castle Lager Rugby Championship for this tour, and hopefully this will set us in good standing to build on our season so far.
“Obviously, the conditions are vastly different in the UK and Europe to South Africa this time of the year, but fortunately, most of the players in the squad have been exposed to those conditions either during their Vodacom United Rugby Championship tours or by playing for overseas clubs.
“The time zone is also very similar to South Africa, which means we can slot back into full Test mode immediately from our first training session on Monday.”
Commenting on the opposition, Erasmus said: “Japan have been improving steadily over the last few years, and they defeated us a few years ago, so we have no doubt they will come out guns blazing next Saturday and throw everything at us.
“The last time we faced France in Paris was in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, and that result will psyche them up going into the match against them. They are also ranked fourth in the world currently, and Ireland third, and we all know how tough matches at the Aviva Stadium are against them.
“Italy, meanwhile, put up a brave fight against us in Pretoria in the Castle Lager Incoming Series, and that will give them confidence going into our match in Turin, and Wales will also be up for the challenge after recovering from a tough few years earlier this season, when we line up against them at the Principality Stadium, so we need to be ready mentally and physically each week to get the desired results.
“It won’t be easy, but we have a quality group of players, and we know what they are capable of doing when we stick to our structures and play to our potential on the day.”
Houston Rocket
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Wiccan Thunder
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