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Tennis star Djokovic backs Boks at Rugby World Cup

Cape Town - Serbia's world No 1 tennis star Novak Djokovic has thrown his support behind the Springboks ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

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Via a video for Asics, Djokovic wished the Springboks well.

"Good luck in Japan. Go Bokke!" Djokovic says in the video (WATCH below).

Asics are the kit suppliers to the Springboks and also a shoe sponsor for the 16-time Grand Slam champion.

Djokovic has had a stellar season, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon Grand Slam events, but retired with a shoulder injury in the fourth round at the recent US Open.

It was reported this week that he was eyeing a return to action in Japan at the Tokyo Open later this month.

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Thanks @djokernole for the support. ????

A post shared by Cobus Reinach (@cobus.reinach) on

The Springboks open their World Cup campaign against the All Blacks in Yokohama on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 11:45 (SA time).

Teams:

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff 

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Jesse Kriel

New Zealand

15 Beauden Barrett  14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Sonny Bill Williams, 23 Ben Smith

- Compiled by Herman Mostert

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