What will be a 63-day odyssey through Japan for the Springboks entered its concluding phase on Monday when the team moved base for one last time, returning to the Tokyo Bay hotel – the team’s home for the opening pool game five weeks ago.
The players will begin preparations for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against England (kick off 11h00 SA time) on Tuesday – coincidentally at the same training venue that England used to prepare for their semifinal against New Zealand.
South Africa will have one day fewer to prepare than England, squeezing in two field sessions and a captain’s run either side of a recovery day on Thursday.
The coaching team had already turned their planning thoughts to England shortly after the final whistle in the 19-16 victory over Wales.
“We’ve played England four times in the last 18 months and it’s two-all, with three tests in South Africa and the last one at Twickenham, so we are accustomed to the way they play,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
“They are obviously a lot better than the last time we played them. You could see it in the way they dismantled New Zealand. But we think we are in with a chance.”
The final is a repeat of the 2007 version when John Smit’s team overcame surprise finalists England, 15-6, in a game dominated by the struggle for territory and kicks at goal in France.
There are signs that South Africa's star wing Cheslin Kolbe could be fit for Saturday's RWC final against England in Yokohama.
Kolbe was on the field when the Boks warmed up against Wales and didn't show effects of the ankle injury that kept him out of the match-proper.
However, the team's medics will continue to work on his recovery this week and at this stage everything points to a positive outcome for the winger.
Meanwhile; Saracens scrumhalf Ben Spencer is flying to Japan as a replacement for England's Willi Heinz, who injured his hamstring in the semifinal win over New Zealand.
Spencer s expected to arrive in Tokyo on Monday and start on the bench in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against South Africa.
- ANA
