By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said on Tuesday the team were gearing up for a testing Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign, which kicks off against the Wallabies on Saturday 16 August in Johannesburg.
Erasmus spoke to the media, giving an update on the Bok training and conditioning camp in Johannesburg.
The Bok mentor has cut down his squad to 37 players for the opening two home Tests against the Wallabies at Ellis Park and Cape Town Stadium on August the 16th and 23rd and says everyone has a clean bill of health apart from two players dealing with small niggles.
“Canan Moodie had a small hand niggle, like an infection, but he’s already back training with us. Cheslin [Kolbe] has a knee, but he should be training with us again from Monday.”
Erasmus has also roped in three championship-winning Junior Springboks – Haashim Pead, Cheswill Jooste and Bathobebele Hlekani to be part of the camp as well, and he’s been proud of how they’ve trained so far.
“With them, we’re looking at possibilities for the 2027 World Cup. They won’t play Test matches this year, and they know that. It’s just to see how quickly the young guys adapt to our environment, and allowing them to participate in all our boardroom and field sessions is great for them to learn. We did the same with Ntokozo [Makhaza]. They are doing well and keeping up.”
The Bok coach says while he’s largely satisfied with how the Test season started, he says there are still a few aspects of their game need fixing.
“We’ve got to be careful. We’re facing an Australian side that will have more rounded players, and who play with greater intensity. After the British & Irish Lions series, whether it’s 3-0 or 2-1, they’ll be battle-ready. A really competitive Australian team will come here and we can’t underestimate them.”
Rugby Championship fixtures (SA times):
16 August: South Africa vs Australia – Ellis Park, Johannesburg (5.10pm)
23 August: South Africa vs Australia – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town (5.10pm)
6 September: New Zealand vs South Africa – Eden Park, Auckland (9.05am)
13 September: New Zealand vs South Africa – Sky Stadium, Wellington (9.05am)
27 September: South Africa vs Argentina – Kings Park, Durban (5.10pm)
4 October: Argentina vs South Africa – Twickenham, London (3pm).