The Springboks, with seven DHL WP players in the squad, have arrived in Perth ahead of their third Test in The Castle Rugby Championship – against Australia at Paterson’s Stadium on Saturday.
The 27-man squad left South Africa late on Saturday evening (SA time) and arrived in the Western Australian capital on Sunday afternoon. Former DHL WP star Francois Louw, who played for Bath in England on Saturday, will join the squad on Monday.
Joining Louw in the Bok mix Down Under is DHL Western Province’s Jean de Villiers – the Bok skipper, of course – as well as Andries Bekker (lock), Juan de Jongh (centre), Eben Etzebeth (lock), Bryan Habana (wing), Tiaan Liebenberg (hooker) and the uncapped Duane Vermeulen (No.8)
Following three days of hard training in Johannesburg, it was decided to give the players some time to recuperate and adjust to the new time zone – they will have a flush-out session in the gym on Monday before going back to the training field on Tuesday.
“The challenge that lies ahead is a massive one,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
“We’ve not beaten Australia in our last four matches and have won only one out of our last seven encounters against them. I have a lot of respect for Robbie Deans’ coaching and they have a very good squad.
“We also realise we were not good enough against Argentina in Mendoza and we have to improve a lot if we are going to be competitive on Saturday, but we are excited and looking forward to the Test.”