The Springboks are back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions and currently ranked number one in the world, while Georgia sit 11th in the rankings. Despite their differences, both teams take pride in their physicality – and neither will shy away from it.

The Lelos will be out to make a statement against the Boks, especially after narrowly losing 24–20 to the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last week – a match in which they did not start eight of their first-choice players.

Georgia’s prop Beka Gigashvili. Photo: Morgan Piek

These sides have only met once before – in July 2021 – when the Springboks comfortably beat Georgia 40–9 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. A second test was scheduled for a week later at Ellis Park in Johannesburg but was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This weekend’s clash will be a very different occasion – not least because, this time, there will be a crowd in the Lowveld, unlike four years ago when the match was played behind closed doors due to strict pandemic restrictions.

Georgia’s head coach, Richard Cockerill, said that just having the opportunity to face the world champions on South African soil is a massive honour – and the perfect yardstick as his team builds towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

“Look, for Georgia, it’s a great honour – and a great challenge,” said the former England international and ex-Leicester Tigers hooker.

“We know how good South Africa are. They’re the best team in the world – ranked number one – and we’re ranked 11th. We know we’re going to be under pressure.

Georgia are going to find out just how good they are, said Richard Cockerill, Georgia’s coach. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We understand it’s going to be very difficult, and that we’ll need to be very, very good. But we look forward to the challenge and to seeing how we measure up against the very best.”

Cockerill added that while the Springboks are renowned for their toughness, Georgians are naturally incredibly tough too – and his side welcomes the physical contest.

“We know South Africa are going to come at us physically. We know what’s coming,” he said.

“It’s about how well we can deal with it – like any other team. We’re a nation of wrestlers, weightlifters, and fighters, so we don’t shy away from the physical side of the game.

“We’re looking forward to playing against some of the biggest, strongest, hardest players in the world – and to seeing how we stand up to that.

“We’re going to front up in the scrums, the lineouts, the ball carries, and every fight in the game. And we’re going to find out just how good we are. By half past seven on Saturday night, we’ll know exactly where we stand and what we need to work on.

Irakli Kvatadze will be on the bench on Saturday. Photo: Morgan Piek

“So yes – it’s a massive challenge, and one we’re excited about.”

Saturday’s Test at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit kicks off at 17:10.

Springboks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cobus Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter

Replacements - 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse

Georgia - 15 Davit Niniashvili, 14 Aka Tabutsadze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 11 Sandro Todua, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Ilia Spanderashvili, 7 Beka Saginadze (captain), 6 Luka Ivanishvili, 5 Lado Chachanidze, 4 Mikheil Babunashvili, 3 Irakli Aptsiauri, 2 Vano Karkadze, 1 Giorgi Akhaladze

Replacements - 16 Irakli Kvatadze, 17 Giorgi Tetrashvili, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Demur Epremidze, 20 Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, 21 Tornike Jalagonia, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Tornike Kakhoidze

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport