Boks to resume international action against Georgia

THE Springboks will make their muchanticipated return to international action in July when the world champions host Georgia in a historic two-match series, which is part of a bumper World Rugby midyear test schedule.

The series mark the first time Georgia will tour South Africa, while the two tests are also the first time the two countries will meet again since their only previous clash, at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

It means Jacques Nienaber will make his debut as Springbok head coach on the weekend of 2/3 July, with the second clash set for one week later on the weekend of 9/10 July.

SA Rugby will confirm the exact dates, venues and kick-off times in due course.

Rassie Erasmus, director of rugby, welcomed the World Rugby July test schedule and said the two-test series against Georgia offered the Springboks a very good opportunity to prepare for the much-anticipated Castle Lager Lions Series.

“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,” said Erasmus.

“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.”

Last year, Nienaber was named as Springbok head coach, but the worldwide pandemic has prevented the Rugby World Cup champions from playing any test matches since 2 November 2019, when they defeated England in the final in Japan.