South Africa’s players must feel right at home at the World Cup in Japan.
The Land of the Rising Sun has become a second tuiste for our players in recent years, with no fewer than eight of coach Rassie Erasmus’s matchday squad for Friday’s warm-up against the hosts at 12.15pm having played domestic rugby in Japan.
Perhaps it was a strategic move by Erasmus and those who plan the Bok itinerary to arrive in Japan a week earlier than other teams and then also organise a friendly against the hosts to get fans going for the global showpiece.
Not only do they have more time to acclimatise than other teams, but they also have the opportunity to win over some local fans ahead of the crunch opener against New Zealand.
South African players are already big in Japan.
SETTLED: Red Hurricanes ace Jesse Kriel. Photo: Nick Lourens.
Damian de Allende, Handre Pollard, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Frans Steyn, Jesse Kriel and Duane Vermeulen have all enjoyed spells over there, while some of them will be returning next season.
On top of that, the Boks also “helped” the game grow in the country after Japan’s shock win over SA at the last World Cup.
In a press conference earlier this week, Vermeulen strategically called on his Kubota Spears fans to come out and support his team in their quest for glory.
HOME: Franco Mostert of Ricoh Black Rams. Photo: Supplied.
He said: “Hopefully I can do Kubota Spears, your country and team proud.”
Vermeulen, though, says it doesn’t matter that you have played in Japan before, you never get used to the humidity.
He added: “It’s great to come back to Japan. I have a bit of experience from the last season I played over here.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/StrongerTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StrongerTogether #LoveJapan pic.twitter.com/upZpbNgXsZ
— Springboks (@Springboks)
“You kind of know the conditions, but you don’t get used to it.
“Humidity will affect every single person out there.”
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/StrongerTogther?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StrongerTogther #LoveJapan pic.twitter.com/k9byPGtznG
— Springboks (@Springboks)
Of their opponents, he says: “They are a well-oiled team - especially the pack.
“They also have a big threat at the breakdown with the loose forwards and some good ball carriers as well.
“It’s not going to be easy. We need to prepare well.”