Double boost for Boks ahead of Japan clash
WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Pocket rockets Cheslin Kolbe and Herschel Jantjies are expected to be fit for the Springboks’ make-or-break World Cup quarterfinal against Japan in Tokyo on Sunday.
The Boks transferred from Kobe to the capital city on Monday to be met by their largest media conference since arriving in Japan on September 1.
Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s Director of Rugby, said that he expected to have a full squad from which to choose.
“Internally our team has already been announced and they will both be in the team,” said Erasmus.
“We will have our first full training session in preparation for Japan tomorrow. We expect them to come through the training session so I would say they are 99 percent ready.”
Wet and windy but typhoon free in Kobe ✊ pic.twitter.com/s4Rk4BnyEt
— Springboks (@Springboks) October 13, 2019
The usual South African media corps was swollen significantly by the attendance of Japanese media and international press, drawn by the compelling story of Japan’s success at the tournament.
The Springboks will have the host nation against them, as well as the majority of neutrals, cheering on the Tier Two nation.
Erasmus said he wasn’t surprised by Japan’s success and expected a closer game than the Boks’ 41-7 victory over Japan in Kumagaya six weeks ago.
“In the warm-up game there was no pressure; and I think the way Japan has embraced the pressure is really impressive,” said Erasmus.
“That pressure will be massive on Sunday and it will be interesting to see how both teams handle the pressure of expectation on both sides.
“For us, their success hasn’t been a big surprise. After our warm-up game I said in the press conference that if I thought if we were No.1 or No.2 in our pool, they would be No.1 or No.2 in their pool – so we’re not surprised.
“Every team so far; most of them have improved since the first game. I think we have improved since our first game against the All Blacks and since our game against Japan. And I think Japan are much better which makes for a great contest.”
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