Boks set for series v Georgia
Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus
The Springboks will make their much-anticipated return to international action in July when the world champions host Georgia in a historic two-match series, which is part of a bumper World Rugby mid-year Test schedule.
The series marks the first time Georgia will tour South Africa, while the two Tests are also the first time the two countries will meet again since their only previous clash, at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
It means Jacques Nienaber will make his debut as Bok head coach on the weekend of 2/3 July, with the second clash set for the next weekend of 9/10 July. SA Rugby will confirm the exact dates, venues and kickoff time.
Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus welcomed the World Rugby July Test schedule and backs to Georgia offered the Boks a very good opportunity to prepare for the much-anticipated British and Irish Lions Series.
Erasmus says: “Nothing beats a full-blooded international to test your skill set, readiness and ability under pressure, and we are delighted to have this opportunity before the Lions series.
“Jacques [Nienaber], his coaching staff and management have been working around the clock to get the team as well prepared as possible, and the Georgia series is a much-needed opportunity after such a long and unforeseen interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Last year, Nienaber was named as Springbok head coach, but the worldwide pandemic has prevented the World Cup champions from playing any Test matches since 2 November 2019, when they defeated England in the final in Japan.