Classic Springboks players have promised to be ruthless as they seek to defend their title at the World Rugby Classic, which starts tonight at North Field, National Sports Centre.

Centre Japie Nel, a popular member of the team that secured a seventh title by seeing off Canada 45-10 last year, wants to have a great time on and off the field.

South Africa play against the United States, Lions and Argentina in a round-robin format.

“Obviously, the same as every year, we come here, we party hard and we play hard,” Nel told The Royal Gazette.

“There’s new guys that haven’t been here. All of them have played big rugby in South Africa or in other countries, and they’re more than excited to be here. They’ve heard about the tournament; they know it’s a fun tournament in a beautiful place.”

Nel, who is making his third and possibly final appearance at the Classic, has welcomed the change in format. He is relishing the clash with Argentina, an encounter that could potentially decide the title on Friday, the last day of the tournament.

“We can’t wait to play our first game on Sunday,” the 42-year-old said.

“The format was usually you play your first game, then the semis and finals. As it is now, it’s an exhibition — we know the three games we are playing.

“It’s not like the previous years where you find out who’s in the semis and who’s in the final. We know the first game is against the United States, the second is the Lions and the third game is Argentina.

“We are looking forward to the Argentina game because we haven't played them for the past four years. It’s going to be a nice hard game, so that’s the one we’re eagerly anticipating the most.”

Bernard Le Roux is in line for his debut at the ever-popular event. The South African-born former France forward, who can operate in the second or back row, last played rugby in 2023.

Injuries forced the 36-year-old to call time on his professorial career last year, making him eligible for the trip to Bermuda.

“I haven’t played for quite a while, so I'm really excited to be here,” Le Roux said.

“It’s a good trip with the guys, getting to know quite a few new faces because I didn’t play in South Africa. I played most of my career in France, so it’s quite interesting and I find it really nice connecting with my team-mates.

“I just hope to get a little bit of game time and see where it goes. We haven’t had any training, so we’ll sort out all of that on Saturday.

“I haven't done a lot of training this last year, but I’ve been up to it for the last six weeks. I dropped a few kilograms and I’m feeling good.

“I’m looking forward to the contact. Hopefully, I don't get too much space because I don’t know if I can still sprint — but I’m up for the physical part of the game.”

Josh Strauss, a former Scotland loose forward, was part of the squad that delivered the first title for the South Africans since 2016. He is not sure what to expect since they have not had time to work on combinations.

“The one thing about South Africans is we all claim we don't really want to play, then as soon as the kick-off goes, no one wants to get subbed off because they all just want to stay on the field,” Strauss said.

“I’m here to have some fun, get to know some of the boys. I know some of them, most of them as acquaintances through rugby, so it’s nice to connect with them.

“It’s not easier to say you’re going to win when you’ve not trained together. I have no idea what shape most of the guys are in.

“Last year the dry weather suited us quite nicely. I don’t know what's going to come this week, but hopefully we get a little bit of dry weather for the games.”

Meanwhile, the Classic starts today with two matches scheduled. Argentina Legends and Italian Classic set the ball rolling at 7pm, before Classic Canada square off with Classic Lions at 8.30pm.