Rassie Erasmus Provides Fresh Springboks Squad Update Ahead of All Blacks Clash
- Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed the squad completed two training days ahead of the four-Test series against the All Blacks
- The Boks returned from Argentina in two groups earlier this week and spent several days recovering from their 17-10 win over Los Pumas
- Erasmus described the upcoming series as comparable to playing Rugby World Cup knockout stages, given the calibre of the opposition
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Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has expressed confidence that his squad is fully recovered and ready to face the All Blacks in the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, which kicks off at Ellis Park in Johannesburg next Saturday.
The world champions wrapped up two days of field training on Saturday after a carefully managed recovery week. Players who travelled to Argentina returned to South Africa in two groups on Monday and Tuesday, spending the bulk of the week resting before returning to training on Friday.
**Squad Manages Tough Return From South America**
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The Boks secured a [17-10 victory over Los Pumas](https://www.world.rugby) last week before the travelling party made the long journey home. Following their second training session on Saturday, the players were given the remainder of the weekend off ahead of the demanding schedule to come.
Bok hooker Johan Grobbelaar and utility forward Elrigh Louw were released to represent the Vodacom Bulls against the All Blacks on Saturday evening and are expected to rejoin the national squad on Sunday.
"It was important to manage the players who travelled to Argentina well and afford them sufficient time to recover from the match and switch back into the domestic time zone, which is why we only started training as a full group late in the week," Erasmus said.
**Erasmus Eyes World Cup-Level Challenge**
Erasmus drew a striking comparison when outlining what the series represents for the Springboks, saying: "This series is almost like playing the knockout stages of a World Cup because we are facing one of the world's best week in and week out, and we all understand the magnitude of the series."
He credited the coaching staff and players who remained in South Africa during the Argentina tour for keeping preparations on track behind the scenes.
The four consecutive Tests begin at Ellis Park on 23 August, followed by Cape Town Stadium on 29 August, FNB Stadium on 5 September, and a concluding fixture at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, United States, on 12 September.
"We will fine-tune the areas of our game, which we would like to improve next week as we get ready to take the field," Erasmus added.
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Source: Briefly News
