Another midweek sport has been added to the Springboks’ itinerary for his or her November tour with the announcement that the SA Select XV will face Munster of their first of two non-Test matches on their journey to the Northern Hemisphere in an thrilling year-end expedition.
The Springboks will play 4 Tests on the tour, towards Ireland (in Dublin on 5 November), France (in Marseille on 12 November), Italy (in Genoa on 19 November), and England (in London on 26 November), whereas the SA Select XV will line up towards up towards Irish giants Munster on Thursday, 10 November, at a venue but to be decided, every week earlier than they face the Bristol Bears (17 November) at Ashton Gate in vital midweek video games.
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This would be the first time within the skilled period that Munster face a South African touring aspect, with the final encounter between the edges going down again in 1970. Interestingly the groups have solely met thrice, with the South Africans having gained all these matches. The venue of the match and ticket data will probably be introduced sooner or later.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber was delighted concerning the announcement of the fixture towards Munster, who he has an intense familiarity with having served as a member of the workforce’s teaching workers with SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus between 2016 and 2018 earlier than returning to South Africa.
“Munster are a giant force in Ireland, and they will offer the SA Select XV exactly the type of test we need to build combinations and player depth as we prepare for the Rugby World Cup next year,” stated Nienaber.
“We have been working with a large squad this year so that we can give an expanded group of players a chance to stake a claim for places in the Rugby World Cup and beyond, and by facing top opposition such as a Munster and Bristol, I have no doubt we will get some of the answers we need with the international extravaganza about a year away.”
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Nienaber stated whereas they are going to work out the specifics about how to handle the workforce successfully between the midweek matches and the Tests, the chance to play these matches will profit the coaches and gamers.
“We haven’t had a proper rugby tour with midweek games in several years, so we are very excited about this opportunity,” stated Nienaber.
“We will obviously have to be creative in how we split our management staff and players so that the Test team and SA Select XV will have everything they need to be as prepared as possible for their respective matches, but the benefits of this tour is going to massive in the development of our coaches and players.
“Obviously we will continue with our collaborative approach as management staff, and the fact that we can have virtual meetings will simplify that process.
“The most important aspect, however, is that we will be able to give most of the players that have been within our system and possibly a few who have been knocking on the door an opportunity to show what they can do while continuing to build their familiarity with our systems and coaching staff.”
Springbok year-end tour fixtures:, with the SA Select XV set to play Munster on 10 November
Saturday, 5 November: South Africa vs Ireland (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Thursday, 10 November: SA Select XV vs Munster (venue TBC)
Saturday, 12 November: South Africa v France (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)
Thursday, 17 November: SA Select XV v Bristol Bears (Ashton Gate, Bristol)
Saturday, 19 November: South Africa v Italy (Stadio Luigi Ferarris, Genoa)
Saturday, 26 November: South Africa v England (Twickenham, London)