Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi have cautioned against underestimating Japan ahead of their opening clash in the November Internationals at Wembley Stadium on Saturday (1 November). Both emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards as the Springboks look to start their five-match tour on a positive note.
The two sides will meet at the historic London venue for the first time at 18:10, with the match broadcast live and exclusively on SuperSport.
“We have a lot of respect for Japan. They showed what they can do last week when they faced Australia and lost by only four points,” said Stick.
“They are a well-organised team with strong coaching staff, so we know it’s going to be tough. We studied their profiles closely this week because they have dangerous backline players and a strong pack as well. Many people tend to focus on their size, but I look at the heart they show and how physical they are. They don’t stand back for anyone. The key for us will be to pitch up properly and execute our game plan well. They also want to win, and we want to start our tour strongly.”
Stick stressed that the Boks’ focus remains on their own performance. “The key for us is to deliver on our standards. We take pride in our set pieces, kicking game, and defence, no matter who we face. We must set a strong foundation and show our intent early on. A team like Japan can punish mistakes, so even if it rains, we must deliver solid set pieces and play in the right areas of the field.”
Reflecting on Japan’s previous upsets, he added: “In 2019 they beat Ireland and Scotland, and while we don’t want to dwell too much on what happened in 2015, they’ll draw confidence from that result.”
Kolisi echoed Stick’s sentiments, saying the Boks would approach Japan with full respect. “We saw what they did last week against Australia, who beat us earlier this year. It was a tight match. Some of our players compete in Japan and have warned us about the quality of players we’ll face. Our preparation has been good, and we feel ready for this game.”
The Bok skipper said they are determined to start their Castle Lager Outgoing Tour well, with fixtures against France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales still to come. “We don’t see this as a warm-up game. We want to begin strongly. It will also be a special day for Zachary Porthen, who will make his Test debut, and we want to make it memorable for him.”
Kolisi has played in all three matches against Japan since 2015 and said those encounters taught valuable lessons. “The 2019 match was the one that really counted for us. What we’ve learned is that we need to stay true to who we are as South Africans. We must dominate physically and control the breakdown because Japan plays fast rugby. They never go away. They are structured, disciplined, and know their systems well, so it will come down to which team can impose itself.”
With Japan’s coach Eddie Jones stirring headlines in the build-up, Stick acknowledged his influence. “Eddie’s record speaks for itself. He’s coached all over the world and knows how we operate. He understands how to motivate his players. He’s already said that winning at Wembley would be special for them. He also has a strong coaching team with Gary Gold and Victor Matfield, both familiar with South African rugby. We’ll have to be at our best on Saturday.”
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