Bok coach gets 'valuable insights' into Australasian rivals

SPOTLIGHT: There may not have been any games or training sessions, but new Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has been a busy man.

While planning for the year-end Rugby Championship, Nienaber has been casting a keen eye on his rivals in Australasia.

Speaking in his column in the latest issue of the Springbok Magazine said the coaching staff are continuing with their planning and logistic preparations on various fronts.

It has not yet been confirmed when the Boks will get together, but they are scheduled to travel to Australia to face the Wallabies, All Blacks and Argentina in the Rugby Championship from November 7 to December 12.

While the South African domestic competition is not set to get underway till next month, at least some potential Bok candidates have been in action in Europe.

In Australasia they have played domestic competitions since June (New Zealand) and July (Australia).

"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," Nienaber said.

"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."

He added that he was delighted to see a number of current Springboks, as well a fair number of players they have earmarked for a wider training group, having returned to action in the Northern Hemisphere.

"The Springbok coaching staff are continuing with our planning and logistic preparations on various fronts," he said.

He added that they have used virtual meetings to gather a large group of players online at regular intervals - allowing the coaching, medical and conditioning staff can interact with them.

"We have discussed various important aspects of our Springbok preparations - such as analysis, training and recovery and protocols, nutritional requirements and so on," Nienaber said.

"As Bok coaches, we are as eager as they are to return to action, which we hope will happen soon."

Source: Springbok Magazine