VIDEO: Why Boks are 'at home' in Toulon
Defending champions South Africa arrived at their French base on Sunday to a hearty welcome, making them instantly feel at home.
The Springboks arrived in Toulon after a 10-and-a-half-hour ferry overnight trip from Corsica, a unique experience for the entire team.
Bok captain Siya Kolisi was thrust straight into the firing line hours after arriving in the port city in the French Riviera on the Mediterranean coast.
It is a training base the Boks enjoy – one they also used last year ahead of their encounter with France in Marseille on their year-end tour.
This time round the Stade de Marseille will see South Africa face off against Scotland on Sunday, September 10, in the opening round of the World Cup.
They then face top-ranked Ireland, Tonga and Romania in the group stage.
The Bok skipper, Kolisi, said their week during the training camp in Corsica will certainly assist with acclimatising for what is likely to be a steamy encounter with Scotland in Marseille – where the temperatures are likely to be in the mid-to-high 20°C.
The Humidity is not going to make it any easier either.
(WATCH as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi explains why they feel ‘at home’ in the port city of Toulon on the French Riviera on the Mediterranean coast…)
“Just like we did in Japan [for the 2019 World Cup] we went earlier and it was hot,” Kolisi told @rugby365com, adding: “It does play a big role.
“What we did in Corsica will help, because we pushed really hard in training.”
Kolisi’s visit to Stade Marquet, a club ground in the heart of Toulon, attracted significant attention.
He said he enjoyed the welcoming nature of the locals.
With the locals and even club players attending their training sessions, the Boks have built up a rapport with the people of Toulon.
Kolisi also became friends with Toulon President Jeremie Fickou, the brother of French centre Gaël Fickou – who will become the Bok captain’s teammate at Racing 92 after the World Cup.
“We are really happy here,” Kolisi said, adding: “It is a beautiful place.
“We will work as hard as we can here [in Toulon] and we will avail ourselves as much as we can to the people.
“We want to give back the love that they show to us.”
@king365ed
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