Springboks Brace for Fast-Paced Challenge Against Japan at Wembley

Springbok assistant coach Jerry Flannery anticipates a fired-up Japanese squad in their opening match on Saturday.

The Bok assistant coach noted the team's main focus after the Castle Lager Rugby Championship will be better control of their play.

Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith, who plays club rugby in Japan for the Shizuoka Blue Revs, also foresees a demanding tour ahead but views it as a valuable opportunity to gauge their performance against various teams.

The Springboks are set to compete against Japan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, November 1, followed by matches against France in Paris (November 8), Italy in Turin (November 15), Ireland in Dublin (November 22), and Wales in Cardiff (November 29). All matches will be available for live viewing exclusively on SuperSport.

Japan comes into the match after a narrow four-point loss to the Wallabies in Tokyo, where Australia clinched a 19-15 victory. Flannery expressed concern over the threat posed by the Japanese team in this weekend's encounter.

"Japan displayed resilience in the first half despite facing yellow cards, demonstrating their defensive capabilities against one of the top teams," Flannery commented.

He acknowledged Japan is not just a proficient attacking side but also has the ability to defend well, as they narrowed the gap and nearly secured a win.

Flannery anticipates that under head coach Eddie Jones, Japan will approach the match with the belief that an upset against the Boks is possible. "I expect Eddie will motivate his team all week, and they'll think they can rewrite history by defeating the Boks at Wembley, so we're very aware of their mindset," he stated.

Both Flannery and Smith are eager for the challenge this weekend and recognize that although it is a longer November tour than usual, it presents a significant test for the Boks.

Flannery mentioned, "This is a great challenge for us. Compared to the Rugby Championship where you face the same team consecutively, this tour features five different opponents, mimicking the World Cup format’s quick turnarounds, which will help in maintaining mental freshness and energy."

Smith agreed, highlighting that although five matches present a substantial challenge, it is an opportunity for the squad to consistently perform at their best. "These Test matches are all critical, not just against France and Ireland,” he noted.

Smith was impressed with Wembley Stadium after attending a Rugby League match between England and Australia earlier in the week. "The pitch seems fast, which may favor the Japanese players' style of play," Flannery added.

Smith remarked on the hybrid pitch at Wembley, stating that many of his teammates have experience with similar surfaces from the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, which may ease the transition.

While players arrived at different times throughout the week, Smith expressed gratitude that several players had the chance for early training sessions. "After the Rugby Championship, those based in Japan had some time off before heading to London, so we’ve had a few days to prepare, and we’re excited for the match against Japan," Smith concluded.

The match will kick off at 16h10 (SA time).