Rassie Erasmus believes the Vodacom Bulls’ run to the URC final will strengthen the Springboks ahead of the international season. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.
While the Bulls’ involvement in next Friday night’s showdown with Leinster in Dublin has meant their contingent of Boks have had limited engagement with the national camp, Erasmus sees more positives than negatives.
“If the Bulls had fallen out two weeks ago, we’d have had them for longer,” he said. “But sometimes playing in a final, carrying momentum and confidence, is actually better.”
The Bok coach said players returning from a title challenge arrive battle-hardened.
“Hopefully they beat Leinster, because that would be fantastic. But even if they don’t, they’ve played in a URC final and they’ll come back confident, fit and ready.”
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Erasmus said the situation was “not unique to us” as England – who the Boks face at Ellis Park on 4 July in their opening Nations Championship Test – have players involved in the Premiership playoffs.
Attention has also turned to the next generation of Springboks, with several Junior Boks and emerging stars training alongside the senior squad.
Erasmus has been impressed by how quickly they have adapted.
“When you look them in the eye and speak to them, you can see they understand professional rugby,” he said. “They’re well drilled and they’re ready.”
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The coach credited the close alignment between the Springboks, URC clubs and the Junior Boks for preparing players for the step up.
“[SA Rugby high-performance GM] Dave Wessels, [Junior Boks coach] Kevin Foote and the Junior Boks management have done excellent work,” Erasmus said.
“The players coming through are physically ready and understand what is expected.”
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Several youngsters are expected to feature for South Africa A against Zimbabwe next Saturday and potentially for the Boks against the Barbarians.
“We’ll give some of them opportunities,” Erasmus confirmed. “The challenge now is seeing how quickly they can transfer what they’ve learned into a senior international environment.”
Photo: Vodacom Bulls
The post Rassie: Bulls success a boost for Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rassie Erasmus believes the Vodacom Bulls’ run to the URC final will strengthen the Springboks ahead of the international season.
The post Rassie: Bulls success a boost for Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
