Siya Kolisi will become the ninth Springbok centurion when he leads South Africa out against France at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, with Bok coach Rassie Erasmus – who will guide the side in his 50th Test as head coach – making six personnel changes to the side that defeated Japan last week.
Rassie Erasmus lauded his team for their physicality, intensity, and the respect they showed Japan as they registered an emphatic 61-7 victory at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, and although the Springbok coach was pleasantly surprised with the result, he said the next few weeks would pose completely different challenges.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said it would be a massive mistake to underestimate Japan going into their opening clash in the November Internationals at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, and stressed the importance of delivering on their own standards to start their five-match tour on a positive note.
Japan holds a special place in the heart of Damian de Allende, who has spent a number of seasons playing club rugby in that part of the world, and the experienced Springbok centre said he was very excited to line up against some of his Wild Knights teammates in London on Saturday.
Springbok centre Jesse Kriel is bracing himself for a tough Test against Japan on Saturday, when South Africa open their five-week November tour at Wembley Stadium in London. (more…)
Former Junior Springbok captain Zachary Porthen will make his Springbok debut against Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday as Bok coach Rassie Erasmus named a largely settled match-23 for the opening match of the November Internationals.
Japan coach Eddie Jones is confident that his side can secure an iconic win against the Springboks on Saturday.
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.
Former Junior Springbok prop and captain Zachary Porthen earned his first Springbok call-up as national coach Rassie Erasmus named a quality 36-man squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour in November, which features four players who will return to the Bok set-up for the first time this season.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, an alternating quadrennial tour between South Africa and New Zealand, marking a defining new chapter for the intense rivalry between the sport’s most successful and storied nations.