Boks’ Tests in UK will have an even harder edge

The Springboks’ hard-fought series win over the British & Irish Lions is likely to bring a sharper edge to their clashes against three of the four home unions on their November tour of the UK.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber acknowledged his team’s task against Wales, Scotland and England is made tougher by the fact that the players who were involved in that series may feel they have unfinished business against the Rugby World Cup holders.

“There will be a little bit of spice as they try to rectify what happened in the British & Irish Lions series,” said Nienaber.

“That is one thing we have to get used to as reigning World Champs and No 1 ranked team in the world. Teams are going to come for us. We are the team they want to test themselves against. The nature of the beast is teams will come for us.”

Nienaber has announced an experienced squad with just two uncapped players in Salmaan Moerat and Grant Williamson, as the Boks go in search of a first end-of-year tour whitewash since Heyneke Meyer’s team swept to victory in Wales, Scotland and France in 2013.

Nienaber broke down what he expects in the UK.

“They are getting eight British & Irish Lions back,” he said of Six Nations champions Wales. “They’ve got massive experience, when you look at their nines and 10s. Of the three 10s in their squad Gareth Anscombe has the least experience and he’s got 35 Test caps. The others are closer to 50 and 100. There is massive experience and it will be a challenge.

“I think they’ve got good game drivers like Ken Owens and Alun Wynn Jones who are well established and are British & Irish Lions.”

He said the Boks are fortunate to see Wales play New Zealand before their clash a week later.

“That is outside the Test window and Scotland will play as well, so we will have some good information on them before we play them,” said the coach.

“If you look at Scotland, Ali Price is well established, Finn Russell speaks for himself, as does Stuart Hogg. They also have Duhan van der Merwe. They have quality outside backs. When the sun is out they can take it side to side.”

England coach Eddie Jones has left out some experienced hands but still boasts a grizzled squad.

Nienaber made the observation that the South African outside backs do not have as much experience as some of their northern hemisphere opponents. “I’m talking 11, 13, 14. We are under 20 Test caps there,” he said about the average number of Test caps among the Springboks in those positions.

THERE WILL BE A LITTLE BIT OF SPICE AS THEY TRY TO RECTIFY WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SERIES

Jacques Nienaber Springbok coach