Boks arrive in Australia ahead of Wallabies test in Perth

The Springboks have landed in Australia with one final challenge standing between them and the end of a demanding overseas tour, but Rassie Erasmus knows the next few days will be about more than simply getting his players back on the training field, Cape {town} Etc reports.

South Africa arrived in Australia on Wednesday morning local time, having travelled from the USA after claiming victory in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks. The focus has now shifted towards the Wallabies and a one-off Test at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, 27 September.

For Erasmus and his squad, the match carries added significance beyond the immediate result. Australia will host the 2027 Rugby World Cup, giving the Springboks another opportunity to experience conditions in the country where they will return for next year’s global tournament.

The Boks are already scheduled to face Romania in Perth in their third Rugby World Cup pool match on Friday, 22 October 2027, meaning this visit offers a useful early look at one of their future tournament surroundings.

Getting there, however, was no simple journey.

The squad left Baltimore on Monday before travelling to Dallas and boarding a connecting flight to Sydney. From there, they made their way to Terrigal, north of Sydney, which will serve as their base while preparations begin for the Perth clash.

Erasmus is keen for his team to finish the tour strongly before returning to South Africa for a few weeks ahead of the away leg of the Nations Championship.

The Springboks have already been pushed hard during the tour, with Argentina and the All Blacks providing demanding Tests, and Erasmus expects another physical examination from Australia.

‘We always knew how tough the matches against Argentina and in RGR against the All Blacks would be, and we factored that into our preparation,’ said Erasmus.

He expects the Wallabies to bring a different challenge, particularly with the home crowd behind them.

‘They have been playing well, and we have no doubt they will come out firing in this match,’ Erasmus said, stressing that South Africa would need another complete 80-minute performance to get the result they want.

That makes recovery particularly important.

After several weeks of travelling and three physically demanding matches, the Springboks’ management team will have to balance training time with giving the players enough opportunity to recover.

The squad had Sunday off in Baltimore before beginning the long journey to Australia, with the coaching and performance teams already factoring the effects of the previous matches and travel into their planning.

Andy Edwards, the team’s Head of Athletic Performance, and the logistics staff have worked closely over recent months to make the demanding schedule as manageable as possible for the players.

Training is set to begin on Friday, giving the squad limited time to settle into Australian conditions before attention turns fully towards the Wallabies.

For Erasmus, making sure the players are physically and mentally ready is just as important as what happens on the training pitch.

The Springboks have already come through a challenging stretch of their tour, but the job is not finished. With Perth offering another important step towards the 2027 World Cup and a chance to close the current tour on a positive note, South Africa will be looking to make the final Test count.

The target is clear: recover properly, prepare smartly and finish the tour strongly before heading home.

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