Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says his side is ready for the challenge of a demanding five-week tour to the UK and Europe.

The first group of players and management departed South Africa over the weekend, with the full squad set to assemble in the UK on Monday morning. That’s ahead of the tour opener against Japan at Wembley on Saturday.

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The world champions then face France in Paris (8 November), Italy in Turin (15 November), Ireland in Dublin (22 November), and Wales in Cardiff (29 November).

Erasmus admits the tour will test the team’s depth and endurance, but says the players are eager to measure themselves against top opposition.

“We are excited about the tour and to measure ourselves against some of the best teams in the world,” said Erasmus.

“A lot of hard work has been put in behind the scenes since the Castle Lager Rugby Championship for this tour, and hopefully this will set us in good standing to build on our season so far.”

Erasmus highlighted the contrasting conditions in the northern hemisphere but says the Boks’ experience abroad would help them adapt quickly.

“Obviously, the conditions are vastly different in the UK and Europe to South Africa this time of the year, but fortunately, most of the players in the squad have been exposed to those conditions either during their United Rugby Championship tours or by playing for overseas clubs,” he explained.

“The time zone is also very similar to South Africa, which means we can slot back into full Test mode immediately from our first training session on Monday.”

Looking ahead to the opposition, Erasmus warned that every team on the schedule posed a unique challenge.

“Japan have been improving steadily over the last few years, and they defeated us a few years ago, so we have no doubt they will come out guns blazing next Saturday and throw everything at us,” he said.

“The last time we faced France in Paris was in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, and that result will psyche them up going into the match against them. They are also ranked fourth in the world currently, and Ireland third, and we all know how tough matches at the Aviva Stadium are against them.

“Italy, meanwhile, put up a brave fight against us in Pretoria in the June internationals, and that will give them confidence going into our match in Turin, and Wales will also be up for the challenge after recovering from a tough few years earlier this season, when we line up against them at the Principality Stadium, so we need to be ready mentally and physically each week to get the desired results.”

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But the Bok mentor is backing his squad to rise to the occasion.

“It won’t be easy, but we have a quality group of players, and we know what they are capable of doing when we stick to our structures and play to our potential on the day.”

Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images