South Africa assistant coach Dick Muir has labelled the Springboks' clash against Leicester on Friday as a "huge game".
Leicester clash to help Boks' prepare for Paris
South Africa assistant coach Dick Muir has labelled the Springboks' clash against Leicester on Friday as a "huge game".
The trip to Leicester launches the Boks' autumn tour of Europe, which also includes meetings with France, Italy, Saracens and Ireland.
The world champions will use the meeting at Welford Road to prepare for their Test against the French in Paris on November 13.
Leicester will be without back rows Tom Croft, Lewis Moody and Jordan Crane, lock Louis Deacon and centre Dan Hipkiss, who are all in the England squad to face Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.
However, South Africa are set to field an inexperienced side for the clash and Muir thinks the Tigers will still provide them with a tough challenge.
Tough opponents
"It's a huge game and we will treat it like any other game," he said.
"It will be good preparation for the game against France because Leicester have some great players and internationals all over the place and they play a great brand of rugby.
"Although they have lost a few of their top players to the England squad, they have good depth and they will be tough opponents.
"It's a chance for the newcomers to stake a claim as there are places on the bench and in the starting line-up up for grabs for the game against France."
Friday's clash also marks the official opening of the new Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road, which increases the capacity of the ground from 17,000 to 24,000.
