The first local derby of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship season is on the cards when the competition returns this weekend, while the two Gauteng sides are in for tough matches in Ireland.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and SARU president Mark Alexander have praised the achievement of flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was awarded the 2024 World Rugby Player of the Year.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus gave all the credit to the players as the team finished the tour with a clean sweep of victories following their win against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Springboks beat Wales by 45-12 (half-time 26-5) at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, after adding three second half tries to their four before the break to finish the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour unbeaten.
Eben Etzebeth will start at lock alongside Franco Mostert in the Springboks’ final Tour clash against Wales on Saturday (19:40) after Jean Kleyn was forced to withdraw from the match-23 due to a niggle.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said they are determined to deliver a complete 80-minute performance and finish the season on a high note against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi was adamant that he would continue giving everything he can on the field to maintain his place in the Springbok squad after seeing very little action for the national team in the three years since he made his Test debut in 2021.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus decided to rest prop Ox Nche for Saturday’s Test against Wales in Cardiff, which will see a front-row reshuffle with Wilco Louw returning to the starting team at tighthead prop, while Thomas du Toit will move to loosehead.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made five changes to his starting team for their Test against the Springboks at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.