-
Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus.
Rugby World Cup champions, South Africa, have broken camp in Cape Town after their second set of alignment meetings ahead of the International Season, which begins in July.
Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, was so busy with his plans that he was unable to attend the National Orders ceremony at the Union Buildings on Tuesday, where he was honoured with the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold.
The Springboks will play a match against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on 20 June, before the first test of the season against England in the Nations Championship in Johannesburg on 4 July.
Alignment camps are a key part of the endless planning for the season ahead.
It is one of the reasons why the Boks team is the two-time and defending world champions, and why their coach, Rassie Erasmus, just received the highest national order in the land earlier in the week.
Erasmus says, “Every year after alignment camps, we say we are happy where we are currently. I guess the proof will always be when we start playing. Are we playing well? But I think what we tried to achieve out of these alignment camps is to introduce youngsters who have not been part of our system, even if it is not just a newcomer, but a guy who has only been to one or two camps. I think in that sense, players are feeling a lot more comfortable getting to know the coaches, getting to understand the structures, and obviously, there are a lot more injured guys not currently here than some guys who just connected virtually, so there were different goals, but most goals were achieved. But it is good and easy to talk now, but it has to translate onto the field when we get there”.
RELATED | President Cyril Ramaphosa bestows National Orders:
Erasmus believes the Springboks have mastered the logistical challenge of getting players from all around the world on the same page.
“ When you are picking players from 29-30 clubs all over the world, everybody has got a plan, everybody has got a different structure, how they want to attack defence, those kinds of things, but as long as you are aligned off the field and with the plans for the year, everybody can plan, and everybody buys in quickly.”
Aligning all the players with a singular vision is also part of tapping into South Africa’s vast player resources.
Erasmus is spoilt for choice but still needs to choose wisely.
He says, “There’s been more than 60 players in these alignment camps, so I think in terms of spreading the net and making sure everybody has got a fair start, if they get selected, and if they get picked up, that’s now done. We are all flying home to our different places tonight, but then it is on the field, I guess, when we get together in two weeks. Some guys will still be playing, some guys will be flying in from overseas. I think we are in a good spot, everybody knows what we are expecting from each other, and then the training will start on the field.”
On-field preparations begin in two weeks, ahead of the Barbarians, and then the Nations Championship in July.
Video | Rugby| Boks up to speed with alignment matters
