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'Listen, it will be phenomenal for us, for South Africa'
Springboks boss Jacques Nienaber can’t wait for July 2 in Pretoria, the first time in 35 months that South Africa will play a Test match in front of a home crowd. The pandemic wiped out their domestic calendar in 2020 and all six home Test games in 2021 – the warm-up clash with Georgia, the three-Test series with the British and Irish Lions and two Rugby Championship meetings with Argentina – all went ahead behind closed doors due to the ongoing virus issues across the country.
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It means that when the Springboks run out at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday week, it will be the first time home fans in South Africa will get to see them play in person in three years since 29,826 were present at the same venue in August 2019 to watch them defeat Argentina in a pre-World Cup departure match.
The bleak closed doors backdrop that existed during the British and Irish Lions tour last year is currently being seen close up by fans in the UK and Ireland as ITV is broadcasting for the first time Two Sides, the behind-the-scenes documentary covering what transpired in the respective Springboks and Lions camps during the 2021 tour that took place without any supporters in attendance at the stadium in Cape Town.
The third and final hour-long episode in the Whisper and T+W-produced series is due to be shown this Tuesday night, June 21, at 10:45pm and ahead of that broadcast, Springboks head coach Nienaber reported that the situation is now very different for rugby in South Africa ahead of the incoming Wales tour compared to last year’s Lions series.
Asked by RugbyPass for his thoughts on the difference between now and then and the prospect of the Springboks finally getting to play in front of a home crowd in South Africa after an extraordinarily long wait, Nienaber said: “Listen, it will be phenomenal for us, for South Africa. If you think of the fans in South Africa, as the Springboks we haven’t played in front of a crowd since we won the World Cup.
🎥 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐒
The final episode of our Tour documentary 'Two Sides' airs tonight on ITV 1 at 22:45 BST 🍿
If you've missed them so far, they are available 'on demand' below 👇
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 21, 2022
“We have never performed in our country for our country as world champions (with a crowd watching). The last time we played in South Africa was against Argentina at Loftus before we went to the World Cup, so it is going to be massive for us. And the same for the players from Wales, there was a big contingent of them on the Lions tour and it will be awesome. Touchwood nothing happens going forward and things stay as almost back to normal as it is.
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“Things in South Africa are, in my opinion, normal like it was pre-covid. There are still some regulations there to oblige by but it is not at all like it was with the British and Irish Lions. I must say looking back at it, it will be a time that will always be remembered. The sacrifices made by both the British and Irish Lions players, management, their families and the South African players, management and their families were tremendous.
“It speaks volumes for how big a series that is and how big a tournament the British and Irish Lions is, how big a deal it is. It’s massive. In my opinion, it’s the World Cup in that. The other things are important, the Rugby Championship, Six Nations, all that but that is such a unique thing. I’m talking about uniqueness and the British and Irish Lions is a unique series as is World Cup.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
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