The South African Springboks have officially returned to training in Johannesburg following a two-day break after their tour of Australia.
With the next phase of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship around the corner, the Springboks are fully focused on their upcoming clashes against their arch-rivals, the New Zealand All Blacks.
The Springboks are scheduled to face New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, August 31, before heading to the DHL Stadium in Cape Town for a second encounter on September 7.
These matches mark the first time the two teams will meet since last year’s Rugby World Cup final, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between the southern hemisphere heavyweights.
Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in the team’s preparation over the next nine days.
“Our focus is solely on producing the best quality rugby we can,” Stick said. “We want to build on the encouraging start to the competition and ensure we’re ready for the challenges ahead.”
Reflecting on the Springboks’ recent success against Australia, where they secured 10 points, Stick acknowledged the tough nature of playing against the Wallabies on their home turf.
“If you had asked us at the beginning of the season if we thought it was possible to get 10 points against Australia at home, we would have probably said you are joking because it’s always tough against them down under,” Stick noted.
“But we’ll take those results. It was very positive for us as a team, but we are now facing a different challenge.”
Stick is well aware of the threat posed by the All Blacks, who have consistently been one of the strongest teams in world rugby. The All Blacks showcased their resilience by bouncing back from an initial loss to Argentina, proving they remain a formidable force.
“On a good day they can be very dangerous,” Stick acknowledged. “The keys for us are to prepare well, ensure that we are aligned as a team, and to execute our game plan effectively. If you are not at your best against the All Blacks, they can punish you.”
The Springboks have the advantage of two additional days of training ahead of their tests against New Zealand, a factor Stick believes will be crucial.
This extended preparation time mirrors the strategy they employed before their Australian tour, which helped the team acclimatize and perform at a high level.
“As a team, we are in a good space at the moment,” Stick said. “We had two or three days off with our families, and we are now back in camp. Having these extra days allows us to work with the players and implement a few new strategies. One can see the guys are fresh, and the energy in the group is great.”
Stick highlighted several positives from the Australian tour, particularly the emergence of younger players who have stepped up and made their mark. “The young guys that came through brought great energy,” Stick remarked.
“Players like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Aphelele Fassi are maturing in their positions, which is great for the team. It’s important for us to build squad depth and create competition for places.”
Despite the challenges ahead, Stick remains optimistic about the team’s prospects. “It’s going to be a different challenge playing against the All Blacks, but these are the moments we live for. We’ll make sure we prepare well,” he said.
The Springboks wasted no time getting back into action, beginning their preparations with a gym and field training session in Johannesburg on Friday. Training will continue on Saturday, with the team taking a rest day on Sunday before entering full Test match mode on Monday.
The focus will remain on fine-tuning their strategies and ensuring they are in peak physical and mental condition for the monumental task of facing the All Blacks.
As the countdown begins, anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling chapter in the historic rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
