Jacques Nienaber is licking his lips at the thought of coaching South Africa against southern- hemisphere giants Australia and New Zealand.
Appointed head coach of the national team after the Springboks won the World Cup in 2019, Nienaber missed out on facing Argentina’s Pumas, Wallabies and the All Blacks last year after South Africa withdrew from the Rugby Championship because of Covid-19 reasons.
Currently quarantined in Australia, the Springboks will face the Wallabies next Sunday in the first of two Championship tests before a double test against the All Blacks.
Having already played, and beaten, Argentina twice to top the log, Nienaber says of facing their old foes: “It’s always nice to test yourselves against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.
“It’s phenomenal to play against them again. We missed out on playing against them last year.
“From a [now-disbanded] Super Rugby point of view, I’ve been involved since 1999, so it’s something you do get accustomed to.
“[And] it was hard when we didn’t have it last year. You kind of wonder where you are. It would be nice to play against them so you can test yourself in terms of where you are currently.
“We are looking very much forward to play against them, it’s nice to measure against southern hemisphere teams.”