Boks wary of strong South African flavour in Japan coaching ranks, says Stick

ONLY three current Springboks were involved in the Miracle of Brighton nightmare in 2015. Still, the Boks — despite their best intentions this week — cannot shake off the decade-long hangover from the most humiliating defeat in South African sporting history.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Of the match 23 in action at Wembley today, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, and Lood de Jager are the trio who experienced arguably the most depressed Springbok change room ever after that World Cup defeat.

The 2025 Boks are vastly different in just about every regard from Heyneke Meyer's limited team, but the warning remains — never underestimate anyone and do not deviate from the game plan.

The Boks that day at the Brighton and Hove Stadium did both.

Victor Matfield was the vice-captain that day, and he was one of the leaders who received a roasting from Meyer post-match because the Boks fell into the trap of playing the Japanese at their own, fast-paced game.

How is this for irony? Matfield is on the opposite side of the fence on Saturday — he has been recruited by master coach Eddie Jones to provide insight into the Springboks.

Gary Gold, the Springbok forwards coach from 2008 to 2011, is another who knows the beat to which the Springboks march. He is one of Jones’ assistants today.

Assistant Mzwandile Stick says the Boks are only too aware of the wealth of intelligence Jones has assembled on the Boks.