Japan will be no walk in the park for Springboks – Thando Manana, former junior Bok

Preparations are in full swing for the Springboks as they kick off the outgoing tour this weekend.   

The Boks play Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, 1 November (6.10 pm).

Coach Rassie Erasmus named 16 players who featured in the team’s 29-27 victory against Argentina. 

Three players, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Franco Mostert, and Lood de Jager, will make their comeback, and 21-year-old Zachary Porthen will make his debut.

RELATED: Zachary Porthen earns Springboks call-up for Castle Lager Outgoing Tour

Japan will be no walk in the park for the Boks, says former junior Bok Thando Manana. 

The Springboks suffered a shock defeat against them at the 2015 World Cup. At the 2019 edition, Japan reached the quarter-finals, but was knocked out by South Africa.

RELATED: Springboks' shock loss to Japan in 2015 still vivid for Erasmus

“Rassie doesn’t take the Japanese very lightly, so he has not gone for an average side. He has gone for a very strong bench,” says Manana. 

Siya Kolisi will step onto the field in his 99th Test for the Springboks.

Sports journalist Mike Greenaway predicts Erasmus is setting up Kolisi’s milestone cap for the game against Ireland.

“That will be part of their massive motivation to beat a massive side. Ireland is the team that the Springboks have struggled to beat,” says Greenaway.  

Manana adds, “There is a magnificent amount of games that lie in front of them, but I am sure they will take it game by game, where they will have to look at the players' fatigue throughout the tour.” 

To listen to Greenaway and Manana in conversation with 947’s Robert Marawa, use the audio player below: