Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has shed some light on his selection plan for the Springboks’ season opener against Wales at Twickenham on 22 June 2024.
“We can’t really say the Wales Test is preparation for the Irish Test,” said Erasmus."
“It is almost a standalone Test match. Some of the guys who play at Twickenham won’t play in the Ireland Test match."
“The Wales Test is outside the Test-match window, so the team will probably be selected out of the 43 men that were at the alignment camp, plus a few Japan-based players."
“There will be no players from England or France. We’re not sure where we are currently with players in Ireland, where Kitshoff is playing for Ulster and RG for Munster."
“Also, there is a URC final that specific weekend, so there might be other guys playing in that test against Wales.”
Erasmus said the teams selected for the Wales test and the Ireland test series will look a lot different.
“The Wales test is almost a standalone Test match because some of the guys that will play there will not play in the Ireland Test match."
“I wouldn’t be calling it a warm-up. It’s a big Test against a Wales team trying to fire and get a spark. They have some young guns who are close to producing magic so they will be tough. Wales are trying to get a spark and they definitely have some young guns in there that are close to producing some magic."
