Springboks set to tackle USA ahead of the Lions

The Springboks are set to kick off their preparation for the test series against the British and Irish with a test against the USA.

Both the Springboks and USA haven’t played a single Test since the World Cup in Japan which finished 16 months ago.

USA Eagles head coach Gary Gold has revealed that the two sides could face off either in the UK or in South Africa ahead of the Lions Series with the location dependant on where the Series would be hosted.

Gold told Rugby Pass: “I approached the Springboks and they were in a similar position to us without fixtures and they said they could be looking for games. Hopefully, we will fulfil a need for the Springboks by getting some of the rustiness off and also get some game time ourselves.

“The plan is to play the Springboks either down there if the tour takes place in South Africa or if not, we could be coming to the UK. Pretty much we will play them anywhere and I’m very optimistic the tour will go ahead, but the pendulum is slightly going towards being in the UK because of the vaccination roll out in the UK. It makes sense to go to a country that is more Covid-19 compliant.”

South Africa have faced off against the Eagles on four previous occasions with the Springboks victors in all four including their two most recent meetings at Rugby World Cups in 2007 and 2015.