URC momentum perfect fuel for Boks going into Wales assignment, says Stormers skipper

Stormers prop and captain Steven Kitshoff may have been in the green and gold Springbok garb, but the dark blue in him came out when he explained the importance of the momentum they need to take forward from the United Rugby Championship.

The Stormers were the URC winners, but with the Bulls and the Sharks also reaching the playoff stages, that spoke volumes of how the South African teams adapted to the new competition.

Speaking at the Springboks meet and greet function at the Southern Sun Hotel in Tshwane, Kitshoff was clear about how they need to take their URC momentum into the forthcoming Wales Test series.

READ | SA Rugby president overjoyed with lifting of stadium restrictions: 'Life's back to normal'

The Boks and Wales meet in three Tests, the first of which will be at Loftus Versfeld next week.

"The momentum the South African teams built at the back end of the URC was impressive. We had three teams in the knockout stages," Kitshoff said.

"They were all stuck in with the competition, so the confidence and the momentum we picked up has been very convincing.

"We've been playing great rugby and a lot of momentum and confidence will be taken into the Wales series.

"Everyone in the squad is trying hard to push for a place."

READ HERE | Boks forced to wait on English-based stars as clubs enforce World Rugby's Regulation 9

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick had the pleasure of watching the South African teams make serious headway in the URC.

When the tournament started last year, he was one of the coaches who was optimistic that the South African teams would turn around their bad starts, which is what they did.

Stick has seen bad times with the Springboks and credited the South African franchises for holding their nerve