• Heavy rain expected in Boks’ opener

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    The Springboks are anticipating wet weather conditions for their World Cup opener against the All Blacks in Yokohama on Saturday.

    An overcast and rainy day is in the offing with a 60% chance of evening precipitation when the Boks kick off at 6:45pm local time. There have been fears that extreme weather caused by a typhoon could see games scheduled for this weekend called off.

    However, the Springboks are calm about the conditions, having spent the last two weeks in Japan – the longest of any of the participating nations.

    ‘The weather’s the same for both sides, so irrespective of what it’s like, both teams will have to play in it,’ Bok assistant coach Matt Proudfoot said.

    ‘We have trained in Japan for two weeks or so now and we have experienced the weather differentials – whether it has been hot and humid or dry or rainy – so we’ve had the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of weather and we’ll prepare as such for Saturday. Our plan won’t change much, but if the weather changes during the game we’ll reassess that.’

    Photo: Dale de la Rey/AFP/Getty Images

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    SA Rugby magazine