Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus believes that the success of the June Tests will be determined by the groundwork laid during the pre-season alignment camps.

Erasmus and the Springbok management team have held two alignment camps to date, with a final one planned for Durban in two weeks’ time – from 22 to 25 April.

A combined group of 22 players from the Stormers an Lions attended the second camp over the past four days in Vanderbijlpark, with Erasmus expressing his satisfaction with the progress of the team’s preparations.

‘We were able to work with a combined total of 34 players from three different franchises during the first two camps. I am sure that after the final camp, we would have covered a lot of groundwork with most of the players we have in mind for the June internationals.

‘The sessions are very intense and we are confident that everyone – players, coaching staff and the various franchise team representatives who sat in during all the sessions – will all be aligned and have a clear picture of our plans for Wales and England after these camps.

‘I want to reiterate that the success of the June Tests will be determined by how the Springbok coaching staff and the players follow through on what was agreed upon at the camps when the players are back at their franchise teams.’

Several coaching staff members of the Lions and the Stormers were also present at the second camp, with the aim being to ensure a smooth transition from Super Rugby to the Springboks when the squad gets together for the June internationals.

The Boks will kick off their season with a clash against Wales on 2 June, before a three-Test series against England.

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