Expect fit and fast Springboks on Saturday
It was perhaps an indication that Rassie Erasmus and his assistants weren't entirely satisfied with what they had seen during the start of the season, and by all accounts, they have really ramped up the intensity during the latest training sessions.
Jesse Kriel, renowned as one of the fittest and most well-conditioned Springboks in the team, highlighted just how much focus has been placed on bringing a Test match feel to practice sessions.
'We have very high standards in this environment and there is also good competition in each position, so we spent the last few weeks working on our conditioning and match detail, and we are confident about our level of our preparation going into the game,' said Kriel.
'For us it's about how you pitch up at training every day, and we are excited about the match.'
With Grant Williams and Manie Libbok paired at halfback, and Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill van de Merwe and Aphelele Fassi in the back three, there is a real sense that the Springboks will be looking to deploy a high-paced attack.
'We weren't happy with our effort in the first Test against Italy, and we also conceded maul tries against Italy and Georgia,' assistant coach Jerry Flannery said.
'We've invested time into our maul defence. Across the four games – including the Barbarians – we conceded 40 points, but performances varied.
'We've also tried to replicate Australia's intensity in training.'
The match kicks off at 17:10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
29 minutes ago
- The Citizen
We're prepared for ‘most experienced brains' in Aussie team — Boks' Stick
The Springboks are fully prepared for the challenge of facing Aussie veterans Nic White and James O'Connor. The Wallabies sprung a bit of a surprise this week by naming an experienced halfback duo in veterans Nic White and James O'Connor to take on the Springboks in the opening match of the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday evening (kick-off 5:10pm). Just a few weeks ago this pairing would have been unthinkable, as the 35-year-old White was set to retire at the end of the British and Irish Lions series, and the 35-year-old O'Connor had not featured for the Aussies since 2022. But an injury to first choice scrumhalf Jake Gordon, and with first choice flyhalf Tom Lynagh ruled out of the South African tour because of a concussion picked up against the British and Irish Lions, meant changes had to be made. Injury woes The Wallabies were then set to go with Ben Donaldson as their flyhalf for this weekend's clash, but he picked up an unspecified injury in training this week to compound their woes. 'It is our jobs as coaches to do our job well and research the opposition. The moment they made that call to ask Nic White not to retire, we knew that we had to focus on what challenges he can bring,' said Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick at the pre match press conference on Friday. 'We have played him many times and we knew when he didn't retire that they had a plan and were going to use him. So us coaches had already planned on Nic White playing. 'With James O'Connor, he is an experienced player. You can tell their (the Wallabies) mindset. They are coming here and using the most experienced brains in their system. He comes with a different challenge, and is one of the best when it comes to their kicking game. 'He also has a massive impact when it comes to leadership in the team. So we knew there was a chance that he would play and we were prepared for that.' When the Bok team was announced on Monday, coach Rassie Erasmus admitted that they might make a late change, depending on the Aussies match 23, and go with a six-two (forwards to backs) split on the bench, with RG Snyman possibly coming in, instead of the initially named five-three. Late changes The Wallabies named a six-two split at Thursday's team announcement, with no cover for O'Connor, but on Friday reversed that call and included one-cap flyhalf Tane Edmed, while taking out loose forward Nick Champion de Crespigny. 'There were a couple of positions where we had considered using other players in our team selection. But we think the match 23 we have selected is very good. We believe that they will go and do the job for us,' explained Stick. 'It is going to be a different game to what we have experienced so far this season, and a tough match. But I feel the team we have selected fully deserves their opportunity. 'That's why we didn't go for the six-two split. We thought the five-three will be good enough to handle the game. We know the challenge that is coming, Australia is a side that can give you a tough time with ball in hand, so we are comfortable with the five-three split.' The Boks were however forced into a change on Friday when it was announced that they would be leaving replacement prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels out, after he picked up a knock in training, with one-cap front ranker Boan Venter replacing him on the bench. 'Jan-Hendrik was just unlucky. He picked up a knock in one of the sessions and we just didn't want to take a risk on him. Boan has been with the squad for a number of weeks now. He has been doing very well and fitting in nicely to our system,' said Stick. 'Boan also has a good working relationship with Daan (Human) our scrum coach, they have worked together since a young age (at junior level), which is good, so we are confident he can step up.'
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Don't ask me for trophies, says new Kaizer Chiefs captain
Kaizer Chiefs captain Inacio Miguel is relectant to make promises despite Amakhosi's good start to the season. The 29-year-old defender says the team is more focused about winning the next match than winning trophies. Having taken over the armband from Yusuf Maart this season, Miguel has been solid in two games as his side is yet to concede. 'We're not focused on the other teams, you know we are focusing on ourselves and our job what we can do better,' he told the media. 'I think we have nothing to do with the other team's results If we don't focus on ourselves, we can do nothing different from the last season. 'So personally, I don't care about the other teams' results; I care about my team. I care about the way that we work and the way that we win that game. That's the most important for us, focusing on ourselves,' Miguel added. The Kaizer Chiefs captain said he can't create expectations and tell fans what they want to hear. 'I think the fans of Kaizer Chiefs, more than anything, deserve the truth,' he added. 'They deserve us to be honest. I'm very honest with myself. I have a lot of people that on the streets and tell me, Miguel, this season we'll lift another trophy. 'Listen, I think the most important thing is that they have to understand that we have to go game by game. We can't create expectations, because then from the expectation it will come the disappointment, I don't want disappointments on the fans,' the Kaizer Chiefs captain said, 'So, what I can promise to the fans is nothing but hard work, every game, every training. We will be there, and we'll try to do our best to bring the trophies that they want. 'But don't ask me for trophies, ask me to win games, ask me to go game by game. If we win game by game, we will probably achieve our goals. It will be easy, but as I said, I don't want to disappoint them,' he concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: 38-player squad and loaned superstar
New territory. Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has admitted that managing a squad of 38 players is unlike anything he has dealt with before. The Buccaneers, who face Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semifinals on Saturday, have one of the biggest rosters in the Betway Premiership this season after a busy transfer window that brought in names like Oswin Appollis and Sipho Mbule. With fierce competition in every position, Ouaddou says the challenge is keeping every player involved. Kaizer Chiefs starting 11: How Velebayi fits in 'In my previous clubs I worked with 25 or 28 players,' Ouaddou told the media. 'Here it's 38…' Full story here. Orlando Pirates players inspect the pitch at the Orlando Stadium before facing Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8. Image: orlandopiratesfc Orlando Pirates forward Monnapule Saleng is expected to show confidence and have a new impact again in the Betway Premiership. A change of scenery is set to work in his favour. At Orbit College, Saleng is expected to regain the energy and joy that once defined his game at Orlando Pirates. Once stuck in a career lull, the loaned winger will likely show signs of the form that made him one of the league's most exciting players not too long ago. Orlando Pirates news: Congolese midfielder and Ouaddou support 'With Saleng, we're just giving him the love and making sure that he fully enjoys the game again,' Orbit College coach Pogiso Makhoye…Full story here. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
