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Springboks in training
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has not completely ruled out a test debut this year, for the three triumphant World Rugby Under 20 Championship players he brought into the Springbok camp, but he says it’s highly unlikely.
The players, scrumhalf Haashim Pead, flank Bathobele Hlekani, and wing Cheswill Jooste were invited to the camp to get a taste of the team’s culture and will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
The Springboks are preparing in Johannesburg for the upcoming Rugby Championship against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.
Erasmus is impressed with the under 20 players and they form part of his vision for the future. The plan is not to play them this year but the coach did leave the door slightly open.
“The three of them know 100 percent well that there’s no chance that, apart from if they knock down the door and really blow us away at training sessions, they take part in every single part of the training sessions, the classroom sessions and the physical sessions so it’s not like we put them out of certain sessions. So, it’s not just to sit and listen and learn, it’s for them to take part as well and also show the older guys what is coming through,” says Erasmus.
The team’s focus is on the Rugby Championship and in particular, the first two tests against Australia. The Wallabies are currently involved in a test series against the British and Irish Lions.
“They might be really battle ready or they might be flat and punch drunk and they might have injuries and be in trouble but that’s being negative. I think they will take a lot of heart out of the previous game and do well again this weekend and have a fresh coaching setup with less kiss which will bring new energy. So, for us it’s tough, we really analyze them but we know it’s a competitive Australian team that comes here,” Erasmus explains.
The Springboks’ first match against Australia is on the 16th of next month in Johannesburg.
