The Boks are touring Europe for the first since 2018 when they lost twice and won twice.

The World champions will be using the tour to official begin their title defence campaign and while in France will also be attending 2023 World Cup PR events.

While the Boks are still on a high following their recent win over the All Blacks, the coach, Jacques Nienaber, emphasized the importance of becoming consistent.

“From a squad point of view, if you look at the squad, except for the injuries that we have, we are building consistency.

“Since the 2019 World Cup, we have only played 10 Tests because we lost out on the whole of 2020 due to Covid.

“So, the key thing for us is to build consistency again. Consistency in our performances and preparations. I don’t think there will be a lot of surprises in team selection and what we put out.

“In saying that, nobody is irreplaceable in our squad. There is so much good competition.

“If you think that we played in the Lions series without Duane Vermeulen, we played the final game without Faf de Klerk, we played in the Rugby Championship without Cheslin Kolbe and in the last Test match against New Zealand without Frans Malherbe.

“From that perspective, we know as a group that nobody is irreplaceable.

“We must also know that we have to perform. When the players are at their clubs, they have to stake their claim for selection and players who are with us now have to train well to stake their claim.

“In saying that and knowing this group, we all work hard and take nothing for granted. That’s why I say there won’t be surprises in selection.

“There is enough competition that if you slack off, there is someone to take your spot.”

The Springbok tackle Wales next week Saturday at the Millennium Stadium in their tour opener.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport