The Springboks kick off their second in-person alignment camp in Cape Town on Wednesday, a month before their season opener against Wales on 22 June in London. This two-day camp brings together 38 players for intensive preparation.

The first camp took place in March, while online sessions replaced an initial in-person gathering planned for early May due to many players competing in the northern hemisphere. This week’s camp follows a strategic coaches’ session held last weekend.

“We’re entering a new cycle with our first Test just weeks away,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. “It’s crucial to delve deeper into on-field planning.”

Erasmus elaborated: “We presented broader plans and new coaching ideas in the first camps. Now, with Tony Brown, Jerry Flannery, and Jaco Peyer joining the coaching staff, we’re well-positioned to zoom in on specific game aspects.”

Erasmus emphasized the team’s challenging year: “The Wales test falls outside the international window, followed by games against world number two Ireland and a historic first test against Portugal. Then comes the Rugby Championship with back-to-back away tests in Australia, followed by home and away clashes against New Zealand and Argentina. Our Outgoing Tour with matches against Scotland, England, and Wales demands a cohesive unit. So, the sooner we align, the better.”

The Springboks last took the field was in the Rugby World Cup final in France against New Zealand in October last year where they were able to defend their trophy in dramatic fashion.

Springbok Fixtures:

• Saturday, June 22: SA vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
• Saturday, July 6: SA vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
• Saturday, July 13: SA vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
• Saturday, July 20: SA vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
• Saturday, August 10: Australia vs SA (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
• Saturday, August 17: Australia vs SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
• Saturday, August 31: SA vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
• Saturday, September 7: SA vs New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
• Saturday, September 21: Argentina vs SA (Estadio Unico Madre Ciudades, Santiago)
• Saturday, September 28: SA vs Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
• Sunday, November 10: Scotland vs SA (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
• Saturday, November 16: England vs SA (Twickenham, London)
• Saturday, November 23: Wales vs SA (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)