Georgia tests bring Bok preparation relief

It may not have been the tests that the Springboks were hoping for as preparation for the British and Irish Lions series, but the fact they have some top-class preparation in the first place is something to be celebrated in these strange times we live in.

Until last weekend there was the real possibility that Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber would face his first test against the touring British and Irish Lions squad as coach without any form of lead-in to the job.

Covid and player welfare concerns have already seen the Boks not playing since their famous Rugby World Cup victory in Japan in November 2019.

While the Bok management and SA Rugby have been searching the world over for opposition to prepare them for the awesome challenge that the Lions will bring, there have been complications and several behind-the-scenes negotiations that have fallen short.

In the end Georgia may not provide the perfect preparation for the world champions, but it will be a preparation of sorts that they desperately need before facing Warren Gatland’s side.

It is now known that the Boks looked to arrange tests against the USA and Italy, Japan and even the All Blacks as preparation for the Lions but thanks to the small – three-week – test window and the quarantine restrictions that opposition teams face when they return home, it simply wasn’t viable for them.

Italy had just cancelled their proposed tour to New Zealand because of quarantine concerns, and there was opposition at World Rugby to them arranging to tour South Africa instead.

The USA would have played two tests against South Africa, but it was impossible to get their players back in time to their clubs – as they are spread across the world – within the time frame.

Reports have suggested that the All Blacks were lined up in Dubai and Japan were also approached, but in both cases the quarantine windows proved to be the undoing.

There was a real prospect that the Boks may have had to play an internal game dividing the squad into two – and that may still be on the cards in a limited way, but at least the Georgia test match gives them focus.

With the tests now confirmed it seems the games will interlope with the Lions tour – a schedule that still hasn’t been released officially because SA Rugby are waiting for the green light to have fans in stadiums.

The likelihood now is that the Boks' tests will be at the same venue as the Lions' first games in South Africa, and on the same weekend, but not on the same day.

While this is likely to spur on the hunger for test rugby again, it will give a valuable contrast between the two sides in the build up to the test series.

In a statement on Monday, Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus welcomed the World Rugby July test schedule and said the two-test series against Georgia offered the Springboks a very good opportunity to prepare for the much-anticipated Castle Lager Lions Series.

“Nothing beats a full-blooded international to test your skill set, readiness and ability under pressure, and we are delighted to have this opportunity before the Lions series,” said Erasmus.

“Jacques (Nienaber), his coaching staff and management have been working around the clock to get the team as well prepared as possible, and the Georgia series is a much-needed opportunity after such a long and unforeseen interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Time will tell if it is enough preparation for the Lions series, but one thing is certain, two test matches against tough, gritty opposition is far, far better than none at all.