Springboks on RWC 'trial'

Cardiff - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says their year-end tour in the UK and France will serve as a trial for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The global showpiece event will be staged on heavy grounds in the UK and the coach wants his players to grow accustomed to what they will experience in two years' time.

Meyer said his players - veterans and youngsters alike - who do not prove their ability to adapt to northern hemisphere conditions will face the axe.

"In our last end of season tour we learnt a lot about our players," Meyer told Reuters.

"A lot of players from that tour aren't here anymore.

"It's very important to have the World Cup in the back of your mind, to see which players can play at this level against three tough teams and in these difficult conditions.

"By the end of this tour we should be close to knowing 25 of the 30 players who will go to the World Cup."

The Boks face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, before tackling Scotland (Edinburgh, November 17) and France (Paris, November 23).

Meyer will name his team for Saturday's clash on Wednesday.

Kick-off at the Millennium Stadium is at 19:30 (SA time).