Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus had high hopes for the team's epic five-week tour to the UK and Europe, where behemoths Ireland and France await.
After coming close to a famous upset win over the Wallabies, Japan coach Eddie Jones says his team is ready to beat the Springboks in England.
Stormers head coach John Dobson says veteran Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach has arrived in Cape Town with plenty of fire left in his game.
The United Rugby Championship has confirmed that Bulls front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been handed a nine-week suspension following an incident involving Connacht flanker Josh Murphy.
Springbok and Bulls flyhalf Handre Pollard and his wife, Marise, are celebrating the arrival of their second child - a daughter born in Cape Town on Monday.
Springboks and Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi has been handed a five-match suspension following the red card he received against Ulster in the United Rugby Championship at the weekend.