Erasmus promises that Springboks will make SA proud again

SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks are working hard behind the scenes, despite not being able to meet as a team due to the ongoing lockdown.

The former Bok flanker guided the men in green to Rugby World Cup glory in Japan as head coach in 2019 before handing over that role to Jacques Nienaber.

Newly appointed Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber(R) and the Director of South African Rugby, Rassie Erasmus (L) pose for a picture following his announcement as the Springbok head coach at the Southern Sun Hotel in Pretoria on January 24, 2020. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)

Springboks determined to maintain winning momentum

As world champions, the Springboks will be the team to beat heading into the new international season, and Erasmus has promised that they will do all they can to build from their success in Japan.

“From our side, we are really working so hard, and I want to guarantee our supporters, as soon as the Springboks are back on the field, we will make you proud, like we did last year,” said Erasmus. “As we said last year, if we work hard and play well, and our fans keep on supporting us and the media reports well, we really are stronger together. And nothing should change because of this virus.”

What awaits the world champions beyond the lockdown

The Springboks last took to the field on 2 November 2019, the historic day in which they clinched their third world title in Tokyo.

They are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, 4 July for the first of two Tests against Scotland at Newlands.

The second and final match between the two matches is on 11 July, before they take on Georgia a week later.

The men in green then set on to defend their Rugby Championship title with a home Test against Argentina at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, before the return fixture in Buenos Aries.

This is followed by a tour to Australasia for two more matches, first against Australia in Perth then New Zealand in Auckland, before they finish off the tournament at home against the same two nations in Tshwane and Mbombela respectively.

The Springboks’ opponents for the year-end tour to Europe are yet to be announced, but standing out in the 2021 calendar is the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, which is scheduled for July.

South Africa were world champions when the Lions last visited these shores in 2009.