Springboks training squad out of the blocks early

Springbok assistant coach, Franco Smith, reiterated the need to put the Springboks first and lauded the cooperation between the various Vodacom Super Rugby franchises. This, as the extended Bok training squad went through their paces during their first field session at the Wanderers Rugby Club in Joburg on 6 March.

The 41-man squad got together in Johannesburg on 5 March for the first of three training camps before the start of the international season. The Springboks start their season in June when they host France in a three-match Castle Lager Incoming Tour. Following a flush-out session on Sunday afternoon, all the players are said to have undergone medical check-ups before attending a meeting to discuss the upcoming season.

Speaking to the media, Franco Smith noted his involvement with the national side and his continued involvement at franchise level as being ‘an interesting challenge’. “Personally, it will be an interesting challenge but it is not something that is unique because it has been done before [at Bok level] while some of the other international teams are doing the same currently.

“The fact that I will be on the frontline, coaching throughout the year, will be of benefit to me, though, and will no doubt help me to grow as a coach,” he said.

According to Smith, the benefits of the recent coaching indabas are already noticeable. “The cooperation [between franchise and Springbok coaches] that we saw during those meetings is something that we can be proud of. As a franchise coach myself, we all know the national team comes first and we want to contribute towards the success of the Springboks,” explained Smith.

Emirates Lions players left the camp on Monday afternoon as they are due to fly to Argentina on Tuesday for their Vodacom Super Rugby fixture against the Jaguares, while the rest of the players will return to their different home provinces on 7 March. The camp ends with a closed training session on Tuesday morning.

According to Springbok management, the following players did not participate in training on 6 March due to injury are Uzair Cassiem, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Lood de Jager, Jaco Kriel, Rudy Paige, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Sergeal Petersen, Damian de Allende and Jean-Luc du Plessis.

Smith was drafted onto the Springbok coaching staff for the European tour last November and was last week confirmed as the Springbok backline and attack coach, whilst continuing in his role as Toyota Cheetahs head coach.

Read: Allister Coetzee is the new Springbok coach