Boks target breakdown and aerial battle to ground Brave Blossoms

The Springboks have identified the aerial battle and breakdown as the two key areas they must dominate against Japan on Saturday to get their November Tests off to a strong start. South Africa will face the Brave Blossoms at Wembley Stadium in the first of five year-end matches, which include clashes against France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales to wrap up their 2025 rugby season.

According to seasoned Bok centre and Japan-based Jesse Kriel, the squad is amped to start their tour with a convincing performance. For many of them, it’s also an exciting clash against familiar faces from the Japanese club rugby scene.

The two sides last met in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Tokyo and in a warm-up match before the tournament. The Boks won both encounters. However, in 2015's edition, Japan stunned the rugby world by defeating South Africa in Brighton in England.

While the Springboks have long buried the ghosts of that defeat, Kriel warned that they will have to slow down Japan’s ball at the breakdown, given the danger the hosts pose when generating quick possession.

The Boks boast a powerful pack of forwards who will look to impose themselves physically to create space for the backline in what’s expected to be a fast-paced, open contest.

“There will be a massive battle in the air (with kicks) and at the breakdown. Those two areas will be the biggest ones in the game,” Kriel said when asked where the match will be won.

“The important thing for us is to slow their possession down. Japanese rugby in general is built on high tempo and speed — they want to get the ball out of the ruck very quickly and beat you with pace. It’ll be a big focus for us to stop that and not give them what they want. We’ll try to do that for 80 minutes.

“It’s exciting to play against some familiar faces. I’ve been in Japan for about seven years now, and that adds a familiar feel to the game. Some of the guys know your habits and tendencies, so tactically we’ll have to be sharp.”

Kriel, who will partner Damian de Allende in midfield, will extend their record as one of the most experienced Bok centre pairings. The utility back has scored 95 Test points in 84 appearances and needs just five more to reach 100 in the green and gold.

The focus, however, won’t be on individual milestones, but on setting the tone for the tour with a strong win.

“Looking at our team selection, it shows that we’re serious about this game. A win is everything for us, and this is a very important match for our campaign.

"We’ve spoken about it a lot this week. There are tough games ahead, but we’re not looking past Japan.”

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