South Africa vs Georgia Preview & Tips - Springboks tipped to struggle in first game back

South Africa have not played in 20 months so a physical Georgia side should offer decent competition. I am tipping the Boks to win but by less than 37 points.

South Africa and Georgia have met on one previous occasion. That match ended 46-19 in favour of South Africa at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

South Africa have not played an international rugby match since winning the Rugby World Cup in October 2019. The world champs are expected to be a bit rusty in this match.

Prior to COVID-19 all looked good for the Springboks as they claimed their third Rugby World Cup title. They beat England 32-12 in the final. The only defeat in the tournament for the Springboks came in their opening match against New Zealand.

This Test series against Georgia will act as a warm-up to the British & Irish Lions tour. 

Jacques Nienaber took over as head coach from Rassie Erasmus following the World Cup triumph. He has selected two debutants in the starting lineup in the form of fullback Aphelele Fassi and wing Rosco Specman.

Jasper Wiese will make his debut from the bench while Siya Kolisi retains the captaincy.

Georgia arrive in South Africa with some confidence. They have won their last six matches, albeit against far lesser opposition than the Springboks.

The Georgians were crowned as the 2020/21 European Rugby Championships champions. They beat Spain 25-19 away, Russia 23-6 away, Romania 28-17 at home and the Netherlands 48-15 at home in their last match.

Georgia participated in the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup where they did play top tier opposition. They were impressive in their 23-10 defeat in Ireland as well as their 38-24 loss to Fiji.

Head coach Levan Maisashvili has named debutant Luka Japaridze on the bench for this clash. The side will be captained by inside centre, Merab Sharikadze.