The Springboks have arrived in London for the start of their five-match tour, which kicks off against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road in Leicester on Friday.
The group of 29 (22 players and seven management) will be joined in France next week by the balance of the 57-strong squad.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will arrive in Leicester on Friday morning for the opening match of the tour.
The Boks will play Tests against France, Italy and Ireland in the coming weeks. They also face current Premiership log leaders Saracens in a midweek fixture.
They will train in Leicester on Wednesday afternoon and wrap up with a captain’s run on Thursday.
”The mood in the camp is positive and the players are determined to get the tour off to a good start,” said assistant coach Dick Muir, who is overseeing the midweek team preparations.
”The new guys are full of enthusiasm and I hope this reflects in their performance on Friday.
”Although the Tigers have lost a few of their top players to the England squad, they have good depth and will be tough opponents,” Muir added.
The match will mark the opening of the new Caterpillar Stand, that increases stadium capacity at Welford Road from 17 000 to 24 000. — Sapa