Crucial dates in significant year

EVERY year is important in South African rugby‚ but after the disappointment of last year‚ 2017 looms as a vital season for the sport.

Here are some key dates to look out for in the coming months. January Although an exact date has not been set‚ the next meeting of Super Rugby’s coaches with SA Rugby and the Springbok hierarchy will happen before the end of the month.

This month will also see finality on the review process into Springbok coach Allister Coetzee’s first year in charge and whether he will be sacked or not.

SA Rugby have said that a final decision will be made before the end of the month. April 7-9 The Hong Kong Sevens is the crown jewel of the World Sevens Series and the oldest most prestigious tournament on the circuit.

It’s also the only title the Blitzboks have not won.

Coach Neil Powell has targeted winning in Hong Kong as a priority.

After their superb start to the 2016-17 campaign – winning in Dubai and finishing runnersin Cape Town – the Blitzboks are well set to gain that elusive Hong Kong title. June 10 Springboks v France at Loftus Versfeld The first Test of the 2017 season will be vital for several reasons.

It’s the first of the three-Test series against France‚ and three Test series are often defined by the outcome of the first Test winner.

It’s also the Boks first Test after the abysmal 2016 season. They are currently on a four-Test losing streak.

If they lose five in row it would be the first time since 2006 that has happened and only the fourth time in the Boks’ history that they would have lost five times in a row. July 15 Super Rugby’s final Pool matches The Bulls against the Stormers and the Sharks versus the Lions on the final weekend of Pool play could go a long way to deciding the play-off places for South Africa’s teams in the tournament. September 16 All Blacks v Springboks‚ Auckland The Boks haven’t won in Auckland since 1937 and they have fallen way behind the reigning World Cup winners and Rugby Championship title holders in recent seasons.

It will also be a chance to measure if the Boks have improved or if their slide continues. — TMG Digital