Tight schedule for Boks before Rugby World Cup

“These  Rugby Championship matches are going to be crucial as we look to get our Rugby World Cup season off to a good start and playing against New Zealand away and Australia and Argentina on the highveld will be ideal for our preparation," said Nienaber.

“All three sides will enter the international spectacle in France among a handful of teams that will be considered potential contenders for the title, so we are expecting a thorough test throughout the campaign," he said. 

The Bok mentor revealed that his coaching staff have already begun with work for the season as they want to cover all areas before the defence of the World Cup. 

“The coaches have hit the ground running this year and we’ll continue to put in the hard yards as we attempt to ensure that we leave no stone unturned before the World Cup.

“We are on course in terms of finalising our planning for the season and we are excited about returning to the training field,” Nienaber said. 

The Springboks will start their World Cup campaign on September 10 against  Scotland at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. Then will also face  Romania, Ireland and Tonga in the group stages. Before the World Cup starts, they will play warm-up games in August against  Argentina,  Wales and New Zealand.