With only 10 days to go until the Springboks kick off their 2025 season against the Barbarians in Cape Town, head coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Siya Kolisi have all expressed their eagerness for an exciting challenge.
The Boks face the BaaBaas for the Qatar Airways Cup next Saturday (28 June), before lining up against Italy in back-to-back Tests in Pretoria (5 July) and Gqeberha (12 July) before they wrap up the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Georgia in Nelspruit (19 July).
Erasmus’ charges have been hard at training in Johannesburg.
“We are well on track with our preparations for the Barbarians game,” said Erasmus.
“Some of the players are making a strong return from injury, and we’ve now had time for the players to settle back into our setup from their franchises and clubs.
“Some of the players had fitness tests and have been involved in team meetings and been exposed to the way we want to do things on the field after the two alignment camps earlier in the year.”
Meanwhile, Kolisi is equally confident ahead of the season.
“We are excited about the season ahead and being back in camp,” said Kolisi.
“For most of us, it’s hard to say goodbye at the end of each season, so being back together and to see a guy like Lood (de Jager – who is back from a long injury layoff), was also great.
“On the field, we are training well, and our sessions are close to match intensity, so we are pleased with how things are going.”
Looking ahead at their forthcoming matches – the first of which will be their first ever match on home soil against the Barbarians – Erasmus added: “We wanted to play against them, and we know it will be a good test for us. They are a team that enjoys playing what they see, but the focus for us in that match will be on our structures.
“They have included some very experienced campaigners and great players in world rugby in their squad, so it will be a good assignment for us to get back into the swing of things at this level.”
Zoning in on the Castle Lager Incoming Series, the double Rugby World Cup-winning coach said: “Italy will obviously pose a different challenge. They did well in their first two Six Nations matches, but they are a team that we can analyse, although we will certainly not underestimate them.
“I’ve seen them beat us before, so it will be an important two matches against them. Georgia are also a challenging team on a good day, so the key for us will be to drive our own standards.”
The Springboks returned to their respective homes on Thursday to spend time with their families and will reassemble in Cape Town on Sunday for their historic encounter against the Barbarians.
