Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick declared that the Rugby World Cup champions will have to be at their best in the Castle Lager Lions Series as they look to repeat their 2009 feat against the British & Irish Lions in July and August.
The Springboks, who are currently putting in the hard yards on the training field in Bloemfontein in the second week of their conditioning camp, will return to the international arena for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final when they line up against Georgia in back-to-back Tests on 2 and 9 July respectively.
They will then turn their attention to the Castle Lager Lions Series, which features a match between the South Africa 'A' team and the Lions on Wednesday, 14 July, and three Tests on Saturday, 24 and 31 July, and 7 August respectively.
“We have to be at our best in all departments against the British & Irish Lions,” said Stick, who lined up against the tourists in a mid-week game for the Southern Kings in 2009.
“In each of the positions in the team they have the best players from the UK, and even the players on their bench will be world class, so our work rate must be massive.
“Their aerial skills are good and so are their breakdowns, so they will present a tough challenge, and the northern hemisphere teams in general are very physical.
“There won’t be weaknesses we can capitalise on. But this is a challenge we are looking forward to and we are excited about it.”
Stick, who said they Tests against Georgia and the SA 'A' game would form a vital part of their preparation for the Tests. He also responded to suggestions that the limited time for the Springboks to prepare for the Series could give the visitors an edge: “The last time we played as a team was in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, and the last time the British & Irish Lions played was in 2017, so we cannot say that we are at a disadvantage.
“A lot of players in our squad are playing overseas and they are playing week-in and week-out in tough and physical competitions. The Japanese based players have played eight to 10 games in the last few months and the local guys have also been playing every week, so we are in a good place.”