Why the Springboks 'only started training as a full group late in the week'

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed why South Africa only assembled as a full training group late in the week as preparations ramp up for the opening match of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) series presented by Castle Double Malt against the All Blacks.

The Springboks wrapped up two important training days on Saturday after returning from Buenos Aires, where they edged Argentina 17-10 in a physical Test against Los Pumas last week.

The travelling squad of 26 players and several coaches arrived back in South Africa in staggered groups on Monday night and Tuesday, with recovery taking priority before any meaningful work could begin on the training field.

“It was important to manage the players who travelled to Argentina well and afford them sufficient time to recover from the match and switch back into the domestic time zone, which is why we only started training as a full group late in the week,” said Erasmus.

The players spent most of the week focusing on flush-out and gym sessions before returning to the field on Friday and Saturday.

“But we are pleased that the players are well recovered and ready to give everything for the forthcoming Tests against the All Blacks,” Erasmus added.

The Boks will now enjoy a brief break with their families before attention turns fully to next Saturday’s opener at Ellis Park.

“It will undoubtedly be a very challenging tournament, but we are looking forward to it as a collective,” said Erasmus.

“This series is almost like playing the knock-out stages of a Rugby World Cup because we are facing one of the world’s best week in and week out, and we all understand the magnitude of the RGR series.”

South Africa and New Zealand will meet in four successive Tests, beginning at 10bet Ellis Park on 22 August before the series heads to Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on 29 August. The teams will then return to Johannesburg for a clash at FNB Stadium on 5 September before concluding the series at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on 12 September.

Meanwhile, hooker Johan Grobbelaar and utility forward Elrigh Louw have been released to represent the Vodacom Bulls in their RGR fixture against the All Blacks on Saturday night and are expected to rejoin the Springbok squad on Sunday.

“It’s a new and exciting challenge, and we have been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes, especially the group of coaches and players who remained behind in South Africa in the last two weeks, so we will fine-tune the areas of our game, which we would like to improve next week as we get ready to take the field.”