Springbok dynamo Kwagga Smith is all geared up and raring to go for a punishing five-Test marathon as the 2025 curtains begin to close. The world champions are set to square off against a lineup of international rugby's finest in the chilly climes of the northern hemisphere. First up, they'll clash with Japan at the grand Wembley Stadium this Saturday, followed by France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales in a whirlwind tour of rugby grit.
Smith, currently a standout for the Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan, sees the grueling schedule as the perfect crucible to forge team excellence. "Five matches are a lot, but it’s a great challenge for the squad because we need to be on form every weekend," he remarked. The intensity isn't just reserved for the usual heavyweights like France and Ireland, as every match promises to test their mettle.
"All the Test matches will also be tough, not just France and Ireland. But that’s where we want to be – we want to measure ourselves and perform well as a team."
Amidst the hustle of pre-tour preparations, Smith and a contingent of Japan-based Springboks touched down in London early, seizing the opportunity to soak in the Wembley vibe ahead of the game. The visit wasn't just for sightseeing; they attended a Rugby League international to really get a feel for the iconic venue. Notably, Smith is eager to get a taste of Wembley’s hybrid turf, a blend familiar to many of his teammates from their URC and Premiership stints.
"A whole lot of URC teams have played on hybrid pitches and also in the Premiership, so it may be different for us this week, but that will certainly help going into the match,” he explained.
With the Rugby Championship wrapped up, the timing was perfect for those based in Japan. They've managed to snag a few extra training sessions, a move Smith believes has set them up nicely. "After the Rugby Championship, the Japan-based players had time off and then we flew to London last Tuesday, so we’ve had a few days of training already," he detailed.
As the countdown to Saturday ticks away, anticipation is building. "We’re really looking forward to the match and playing against Japan," Smith concluded, a sparkle of excitement in his eyes for what promises to be an epic showdown at Wembley.
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Springbok dynamo Kwagga Smith is all geared up and raring to go for a punishing five-Test marathon as the 2025 curtains begin to close. The world champions are set to square off against a lineup of international rugby's finest in the chilly climes of the northern hemisphere. First up, they'll clash with Japan at the grand Wembley Stadium this Saturday, followed by France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales in a whirlwind tour of rugby grit.
Smith, currently a standout for the Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan, sees the grueling schedule as the perfect crucible to forge team excellence. "Five matches are a lot, but it’s a great challenge for the squad because we need to be on form every weekend," he remarked. The intensity isn't just reserved for the usual heavyweights like France and Ireland, as every match promises to test their mettle.
"All the Test matches will also be tough, not just France and Ireland. But that’s where we want to be – we want to measure ourselves and perform well as a team."
Amidst the hustle of pre-tour preparations, Smith and a contingent of Japan-based Springboks touched down in London early, seizing the opportunity to soak in the Wembley vibe ahead of the game. The visit wasn't just for sightseeing; they attended a Rugby League international to really get a feel for the iconic venue. Notably, Smith is eager to get a taste of Wembley’s hybrid turf, a blend familiar to many of his teammates from their URC and Premiership stints.
"A whole lot of URC teams have played on hybrid pitches and also in the Premiership, so it may be different for us this week, but that will certainly help going into the match,” he explained.
With the Rugby Championship wrapped up, the timing was perfect for those based in Japan. They've managed to snag a few extra training sessions, a move Smith believes has set them up nicely. "After the Rugby Championship, the Japan-based players had time off and then we flew to London last Tuesday, so we’ve had a few days of training already," he detailed.
As the countdown to Saturday ticks away, anticipation is building. "We’re really looking forward to the match and playing against Japan," Smith concluded, a sparkle of excitement in his eyes for what promises to be an epic showdown at Wembley.