Georgia to help Boks get back in the game
In-form Georgia will be the opposition when the Springboks come out of Covid-enforced hibernation before the series against the British & Irish Lions in July.
The Springboks‚ who have not played a Test since winning the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in November 2019‚ will use the opportunity to get much-needed game time ahead of their series against the Lions, which takes place just once every 12 years.
They will face opposition that put their best foot forward in qualification for the 2023 World Cup in France, with Georgia unbeaten in their four matches and already on the cusp of qualification. The short tour will be Georgia’s first to SA‚ but the teams squared off once at the then Aussie Stadium in Sydney during the 2003 World Cup.
Jacques Nienaber will make his debut as Springbok head coach on the weekend of July 34‚ with the second clash to be played a week later. SA Rugby will confirm the dates‚ venues and kickoff times in due course.
Rassie Erasmus‚ director of rugby‚ welcomed World Rugby’s July Test schedule. “Nothing beats a full-blooded international to test your skill set‚ readiness and ability under pressure‚ and we are delighted to have this opportunity before the Lions series‚” he said in a statement.
“Jacques [Nienaber]‚ his coaching staff and management have been working around the clock to get the team as well prepared as possible‚ and the Georgia series is a much-needed opportunity after such a long and unforeseen interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Nienaber was named Springbok head coach in 2020‚ but the pandemic prevented the RWC champions from playing any Tests since they beat England in the final in Japan.
“Confirmation of the Georgia Tests and the announcement of the British & Irish Lions squad last week have caused a lot of excitement and I am sure it will lift the spirit of the players. We can now accelerate our preparations for our return to Test rugby‚” said Nienaber.
Lasha Khurtsidze‚ Georgian vice-president for high performance and development‚ said the coming series is a result of the growing friendship and cooperation between the rugby authorities in Georgia and SA.
“Playing against them is a great honour for us‚” said Khurtsidze. “We have only played the Springboks once before‚ in our first Rugby World Cup appearance in 2003‚ when we scored the first try. A lot of time has passed since then‚ they are the current world champions and we have developed as well.”
According to Khurtsidze‚ SA Rugby has over a number of years made an active contribution to the development of Georgian rugby.
“We appreciate that we have friendly and close relations with SA Rugby. Our under-20s have been invited to SA on numerous occasions to play in very highlevel tournaments over there. As a leading tier-one rugby nation‚ this makes SA an important contributor to the development of Georgian rugby.”
The Springboks kick off their series against the Lions on July 24.