Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will soon announce the matchday squad for the first of two Tests against Ireland at Loftus Stadium next weekend.

Following their training camp in Pretoria, the back-to-back world champions are ready to switch into “Ireland mode” for what promise to be physically demanding encounters.

Erasmus expressed satisfaction with the established structures during the camp, which prepared the squad for full Test match intensity next week.

“We had a good and productive training week despite our flight from London to South Africa being cancelled on Sunday night, and it was pleasing to see how the players who joined us this week stepped back into Test mode and got stuck in at training,” said Erasmus. 

“Some of the players have been in our set-up for a while, which certainly assisted, and the new players also wasted no time familiarising themselves with the systems and we are pleased with how they slotted in.” 

The Springboks kicked off their season with a dominant win over Wales at Twickenham last weekend, marking their first match since the World Cup victory in October.

They returned to South Africa on Tuesday and were joined by the remaining members of Erasmus’ 39-man squad. The team wasted no time, holding their first training session that same day. Two further sessions followed on Wednesday, with the final field session wrapping up the week on Friday morning.

The players will now return home for the weekend to spend time with family before reassembling in Pretoria on Sunday.

“I must give credit to our head of high performance and operations team for their hard work to ensure that the week functioned as smoothly as possible despite arriving in SA a day later than expected,” said Erasmus.  

“I believe we are in the right frame of mind for the challenge ahead against the world’s No 2 ranked team. 

“We had a chance this week to analyse what we did well against Wales and the areas we need to put more emphasis on going into the Ireland Tests, and we were delighted with the professional manner in which the players made the mind-set switch to the Castle Lager Incoming Series. 

“There is a huge excitement in the group for the challenge ahead and that was evident on and off the field this week. 

“Everyone knows that a big step-up is required next week, but we are pleased with the momentum we built up by defeating Wales and getting international game time under the belt. 

“Obviously with new members on our coaching staff, the overseas-based players and new recruits will have some work to do to ensure the entire group is fully aligned in terms of our new structures, but this week served as a good start in that process.” 

Picture courtesy of SA Rugby