Bongi Mbonambi more than happy to carry weight of Bok fans' expectations

Rather than seeing it as a burden, Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi believes it is a privilege that fans expect big things from the Boks in every game they play.

The Boks will kick off the 2023 international season next Saturday against Australia in their opening Rugby Championship match at Loftus Versfeld, the first of six Test matches before they begin their World Cup campaign in France.

With the team entering the international extravaganza as the defending champions and the excitement building for the global showpiece, expectations are high, but Mbonambi said it was something the side embraced.

"South African rugby fans don't only have expectations on us in a World Cup year, it's the same for every game we play," said Mbonambi. "We feel the expectations, but we don't see it as pressure, we see it as an honour and a privilege.

"Of course, we feel nervous, but we are also excited. We love it and enjoy it."

Commenting on the team's preparations this year compared to 2019 prior to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan, Mbonambi said: "Four years ago was a completely different story. We were a bunch of new players coming together with a new coaching team and fresh plans, so it took longer to prepare and become aligned.

"This season we are finding our rhythm and aligning quicker, as we have known one another for four years longer, and we know what the coaches expect from us.

"As players we also know what to expect from each other and we are working harder because we can't do what we did four years ago and expect the same result.

"We are currently putting our plans in place, and the alignment camps certainly helped in that regard. We are a big group, so everyone is being coached well in terms of our plans."

Meanwhile, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has assured fans that the injury to first-choice flyhalf Handre Pollard will not set the team back in their preparation for this vital season.

"No, it's not a setback in our planning. We have a game strategy and each flyhalf brings their own style and skillset to the game," he said.

Looking ahead to their opening Test of the season against the Aussies, Nienaber admitted they weren't sure what to expect from the Wallabies in Eddie Jones' first game in charge.

That's why it's so important they focus squarely on what they can control come July 8.

"As we said last week, it's tough to prepare to face Australia because we're not sure if they'll play with an Eddie Jones or Dave Rennie mindset, so the key for us is to focus on ourselves," said Nienaber. "We have to be able to adapt to whatever they throw at us on the day."

"I'm not entirely sure how they (Australia) are working with their squads," he added. "I've seen they have two squads with different names, and that one squad will face us and the other remain behind. So everyone is gearing up for the Rugby Championship to build momentum before the World Cup."