After a hugely successful 2024 already, Rassie Erasmus’ world beaters head north for challenges against Scotland, England and Wales over the coming month. We’ve rated the difficulty level of each of their three opponents here.
Scotland at Murrayfield on 10 November
Coach: Gregor Townsend
Captain: Sione Tuipulotu
Player to watch: Blair Kinghorn
Difficulty rating: 6/10
The Brave Hearts are up first for the double world champs, a side the Boks have beaten 23 times out of a possible 28 since 1906. You’d have to go back 14 years for the last time the men in green and gold were trumped by the Scots, and there’s little to suggest Gregor Townsend’s side are about to turn the tide.
Having faced a number of lower-tier nations in July, Scotland haven’t truly been tested since finishing fourth in the Six Nations earlier this year. They face a tricky Fijian outfit a week out from the Bok clash, but the level of quality Siya Kolisi and company bring will be a whole different ball game for the hosts.
The last match played between the nations came in the pool stages of last year’s World Cup, with the Boks coming away with a memorable 18-3 win in Marseille.
Verdict
The men from the Republic should record a similar win on 10 November in spite of the efforts of undeniably talented Scottish players like Toulouse dynamo Blair Kinghorn, fit-again Darcy Graham and hardy Rory Darge.
One year ago, Manie Libbok pulled off one of the most impressive kicks we've ever seen 😱#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/XmQZpVsY5v
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 10, 2024
England at Twickenham on 16 November
Coach: Steve Borthwick
Captain: Jamie George
Player to watch: Tommy Freeman
Difficulty rating: 7/10
Despite their ongoing coaching merry-go-round under Steve Borthwick, England will present the Boks with their biggest challenge on tour. After narrowly going down in their two Test matches in New Zealand in July, the Roses will face the All Blacks again, as well as the Wallabies in the two weeks leading up to their showdown with the Boks – a formidable run indeed.
England finished third in the Six Nations earlier this year and currently occupy fifth in World Rugby’s rankings. Having fallen to slender defeats against each of the sides ranked above them over the past 18 months or so, a win over the back-to-back World Cup winners could be the confidence booster the group needs to push on and return to their status as legit Six Nations title contenders.
South Africa have won three of the last four clashes between the sides, with the last coming in last year’s nail-biting 16-15 World Cup semi-final result at the Stade de France.
Verdict
Although England will certainly challenge the tourists at the scrum and lineout, one would think that a Bok outfit operating anywhere close to their full potential should be too powerful.
Wales at the Principality on 23 November
Coach: Warren Gatland
Captain: Dewi Lake
Player to watch: Taine Plumtree
Difficulty rating: 6/10
Once considered one of the most difficult Test teams to play, Wales’ stocks have well and truly fallen over the past few years, with the side now ranked 11th in the world. Since finishing winless in the Six Nations, the side has been beaten by the Boks at Twickenham and twice in Australia. The performances of the Welsh clubs in the URC has also been pretty mediocre, though Scarlets and Cardiff do seem to have improved this term.
The head-to-head battle in the Gatland/Erasmus era has always been fiercely contested, and there’s no doubt that the Boks will again face a rugged and determined Dragons outfit in Cardiff. The game may be closer if it rains at the Principality, but the fact remains that the Bok players are simply a cut above their Welsh counterparts and should have no trouble finishing their tour positively.
Verdict:
The Boks triumphed 41-13 in their latest meeting in June, and while they may be hard-pressed to replicate such a convincing win, they should get the job done comfortably enough.
Springbok Touring Squad:
Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi (c), Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese.
Backs: Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie.
