Chelsea stars meet South Africa rugby giants ahead of their World Cup clash with New Zealand... and even Diego Costa can't believe how tall they are! 

By Matt Morlidge for MailOnline

Published: 10:59 EST, 22 October 2015 | Updated: 04:43 EST, 23 October 2015

Members of the South African rugby team visited Premier League champions Chelsea on Thursday ahead of their daunting World Cup semi-final with New Zealand this weekend.

The Springboks, who narrowly overcame Wales in the last round at Twickenham, come up against a side who produced the performance of the tournament so far to demolish France 62-13 in Cardiff.

And it seems they have tried to draw inspiration from Jose Mourinho's side, who are currently struggling in the league and in Europe, as several rugby giants met some of the Chelsea stars at the Cobham training ground.

South Africa rugby players met Chelsea players at their Cobham training ground. From left to right (front row) - Siya Kolisi, Lwazi Mvovo, Oscar, JP Pietersen, Kenedy, Eben Etzebeth, Diego Costa, Jesse Kriel. Back row - Lode De Jager, left, and Damian de Allende

South Africa rugby players met Chelsea players at their Cobham training ground. From left to right (front row) - Siya Kolisi, Lwazi Mvovo, Oscar, JP Pietersen, Kenedy, Eben Etzebeth, Diego Costa, Jesse Kriel. Back row - Lode De Jager, left, and Damian de Allende

Global stars: Cesc Fabregas, left, Eben Etzebeth, centre, and Chelsea captain John Terry 

Global stars: Cesc Fabregas, left, Eben Etzebeth, centre, and Chelsea captain John Terry 

John Terry (back turned) meets some of the South African rugby stars at Chelsea's Cobham training ground

John Terry (back turned) meets some of the South African rugby stars at Chelsea's Cobham training ground

Cesc Fabregas (right) was also caught on film chatting to the likes of Damian De Allende in Surrey

Cesc Fabregas (right) was also caught on film chatting to the likes of Damian De Allende in Surrey

South Africa second row Eben Etzebeth told the official Chelsea website: ‘I have always enjoyed watching soccer although I never really played it as the schools I went to didn’t offer it as a sport but whenever I see a ball and a net I like to take a few penalties and a few free-kicks.

‘We are normally off two days before a game and we get to do what we want so it is a nice experience coming to the Chelsea training ground and seeing what the guys get up to. 

'The training looks like fun but really professional.

'We normally get a full week of recovery whereas the Chelsea players sometimes play three games in a week,’ he added. 

‘I don’t think in the rugby world that will happen as our bodies would be too sore, but it is all about recovery and getting ready for the next game.

‘The Rugby World Cup in England has been going well. Every game has been almost a sell-out and that is a complement to England for the support and all the effort they have put in.

‘It has been going well for us too and we are looking forward to our semi-final.’

Diego Cotsa could quite believe the height of some of the rugby stars at Chelsea's training ground

Diego Cotsa could quite believe the height of some of the rugby stars at Chelsea's training ground

In a series of vines from the Blues' Twitter account, striker Diego Costa, a physical force in football, was surprised by the sheer height of some of the South Africa players, while Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and John Terry were also filmed chatting away.

The Chelsea squad have just returned from the Ukraine following their disappointing 0-0 draw with Dynamo Kiev, and are preparing for their trip to Upton Park to play West Ham on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho labelled the referee in Kiev as 'weak' and 'naive' after his failure to award Fabregas a penalty; but those words definitely couldn't have been used to describe the Springboks.

Etzebeth, JP Pietersen, Jesse Andre Kriel visited the Surrey training facility and have all been named in the starting XV to take on the All Blacks.

Lood de Jager was also at Cobham, and the influential young lock has recovered from a foot injury to make the team.

After a shock opening defeat at the hands of Japan in their first game of the tournament, South Africa have recovered well, despite not hitting their top form.

Jose Mourinho called the referee weak and naive after Chelsea's 0-0 draw at Dinamo Kiev

Jose Mourinho called the referee weak and naive after Chelsea's 0-0 draw at Dinamo Kiev

Mourinho claims Fabregas was felled in the area at the NSK Olimpiyskyi Stadium in the Ukraine

Mourinho claims Fabregas was felled in the area at the NSK Olimpiyskyi Stadium in the Ukraine

Coach Heyneke Meyer paid tribute to the New Zealand team they will face at New Zealand on Saturday, while admitting the Springboks must up their game.

'This is probably the best team that's ever played the game,' said Meyer of Steve Hansen's All Blacks.

'It will need our best performance probably ever to beat them, because they are the best team that there's ever been.

'In saying that, you have to believe you can beat them.

'We know we have to be at our best.'

Fourie Du Preez celebrates after scoring the match-winning try against Wales at Twickenham last weekend

Fourie Du Preez celebrates after scoring the match-winning try against Wales at Twickenham last weekend

Lood de Jager has been passed fit ahead of the crucial semi-final against New Zealand on Saturday

Lood de Jager has been passed fit ahead of the crucial semi-final against New Zealand on Saturday

 

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