Cape Town - The Springboks will be battle-weary when they invade Europe next week, but Heyneke Meyer’s troops must seize the opportunity to prove their mettle in northern climes.
The 2015 World Cup gets under way in London in September and that means the Boks have six (seven at the most) Tests in Europe separating them from the showpiece event - the first three of which take place in Wales, Scotland and France next month.
With the exception of the No 5 position, Meyer appears to be quite settled on the make-up of his pack.
Tight forwards Beast Mtawarira, Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis and Eben Etzebeth are dead-certs to start in South Africa’s World Cup-opener in Brighton, against the top Asian qualifier, if they’re fit.
Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen are equally assured of being named in the back row, with Willem Alberts and Pierre Spies likely to top a shortlist of contenders for the third slot.
And Bakkies Botha and Flip van der Merwe will thrash it out for the third lock position in the matchday squad.
The point is, the pack that runs on to face Wales in Cardiff next week is not likely to change much between now and 2015, and the same is true for the conditions at the Millennium Stadium.
Dominant forward play is the lifeblood of South African rugby and this tour will show Meyer how his heavies stack up against European nations who, due to prevailing conditions, place a particular emphasis on scrumming.
The Boks scrummed Australia to pieces at the Suncorp Stadium in September, scoring four tries in a 38-12 win. And they looked to be on track to do something similar against the All Blacks at Eden Park a week later before French ref Romain Poite erred in sending off Bismarck du Plessis.
The tour will also give Meyer and captain Jean de Villiers another chance to familiarise themselves with the quirks of northern hemisphere officials.
It was English referee Wayne Barnes who sent Wales captain Sam Warburton off during the 2011 World Cup clash against South Africa in the most recent match between the two teams.
The reigning Six Nations champions will be eager to avenge that result.
Meyer’s men will be eager to set the record straight against Scotland after making heavy weather of a 30-17 win in June.
Irish referee George Clancy gave the Scots carte blanche at the breakdown in that match.
And the Boks will be chasing their first win against Les Bleus in France since 1997.
Cape Argus