Wales to Face World Champions Springboks in Summer Tour
Wales’ national rugby union team will kick off their summer tour with a high-profile clash against the reigning world champions, South Africa, on the same day as the United Rugby Championship final. The Springboks will be missing several key players due to the match’s timing outside the international window, but Warren Gatland is still relishing the challenge.
“I’m excited by the challenge of meeting the world champions Springboks in terms of creating some confidence and self-belief in this group of players,” said the Wales head coach.
South Africa will be fielding a formidable lineup, with their Bulls and Stormers franchises both making the URC play-offs, alongside the Welsh side Ospreys.
Gatland emphasized the importance of exposing his young squad to as much top-level rugby as possible, acknowledging the “challenge” of the demanding 18-match season.
“At one stage we were looking at playing Samoa, and I would have jumped at that, because this group of young players need as many games as they can possibly get to gain that experience,” he explained.
The four-match summer programme will be a critical opportunity for Wales to build depth and competition for places ahead of the Rugby World Cup later this year.
“We are conscious there are a few holes in terms of depth in certain positions and we’ve got to increase the depth and competition for places,” Gatland said.
Despite the Springboks’ missing personnel, the Wales boss is under no illusions about the task at hand.
“South Africa will be missing a few players as well, but whatever team they put out we know they won’t be small. They’ll be big and physical,” he warned.
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