Nienaber wants more from Springboks after Wales rout: 'We have to get better in France'

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber urged his side to even greater heights after the Rugby World Cup holders impressed in a 52-16 warm-up win over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

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The Springboks ran in eight tries against an injury-hit Wales during a display that featured sharp interplay by their backs as well as the forward strength that has long been a hallmark of South African rugby.

But thanks to a draw that took place several years before the start of the upcoming World Cup in France, South Africa find themselves in arguably the toughest pool of the tournament alongside top-ranked Ireland and fast-improving Scotland.

And should the Springboks reach the quarter-finals they will face another huge challenge, with either tournament hosts France or arch-rivals New Zealand their likely opponents.

The Springboks begin the defence of the title they won four years ago against Scotland in Marseille on 10 September.

"We have to get better in France," said Nienaber.

"We are on the side of the draw that is knockout from game one. Just to get out of pool we have to be on form."

Kolisi belief

South Africa's win easily surpassed their previous biggest win against Wales in Cardiff, a 34-12 success in 2007.

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi, the skipper of the side that beat England in the 2019 final in Japan, returned to action at the Principality Stadium.

The flanker partially tore his anterior cruciate ligament in April. But there was no sign of the injury as Kolisi played the whole of the first half before going off at the break.

"I've been praying, God has been good to me and my wife has been by my side," Kolisi told Amazon Prime.

"It's belief, mental