- Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and his coaching staff are hard at work for the Test season ahead.
- The Bok mentor says he’s “delighted” to also see a number of Springboks in the northern hemisphere returning to action.
- Nienaber has also been impressed watching New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa and Australia’s Super Rugby AU events.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has given an update on preparations for the Test season lying in wait.
South African rugby players recently returned to contact training and the Boks are slated to play in the Rugby Championship in Australia between November 7 and December 12.
Via a column for the latest edition of Springbok Magazine, Nienaber said he and his backroom staff have been hard at work during the coronavirus lockdown.
He said he also kept a close eye on New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa and Australia’s Super Rugby AU events.
“It was great to watch the full-blooded action of the Super Rugby Aotearoa between the five New Zealand sides, where the Crusaders once more showed their dominance despite some great competition from their fellow Kiwi rivals.
“The Australian version was similarly good to watch – not only to see some live rugby competition – but it also gave us some valuable insights into what these two countries have to offer from a domestic and international competitions’ perspective.
“From our point of view, the Springbok coaching staff have obviously cast more than an interested eye over the action in both countries as we plan for the rest of the season,” Nienaber wrote.
The Bok mentor added that he was pleased to see overseas Springbok players back in action.
“We were delighted to see a number of our current Springboks, as well a fair number of players we have earmarked for a wider training group, having returned to action in the northern hemisphere.
“So, while we are hoping to hear very soon of our plans for the rest of the year here in South Africa, the Springbok coaching staff are continuing with our planning and logistic preparations on various fronts.”
Nienaber said technology has allowed them to keep up to date with the players’ progress.
“Fortunately, virtual meetings make it nowadays easy and convenient to gather a large group of players online at regular intervals where the coaching, medical and conditioning staff can interact with them to discuss various important aspects of our Springbok preparations such as analysis, training and recovery and protocols, nutritional requirements and so on.
“Locally, despite being out of action since mid-March, I think the players have done a really good job when you look at the dedication and sheer grit of them sticking to their individual training programmes during the lockdown.
“As Bok coaches we are as eager as they are to return to action, which we hope will happen soon – and once our franchises are back in competitive action (obviously considering the regulations from government), hopefully we will be in a position to resume some form of Test action in green and gold.”
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
