'We would be going in with a bit of a disadvantage': Springboks stars not sold on Rugby Championship
While the ongoing Rugby Championship scheduling stand-off continues between New Zealand and SANZAAR, South Africa have been preparing themselves for the unexpected.
There have been suggestions that South Africa should just skip this year’s edition and instead focus on the British and Irish Lions tour in July 2021.
Certainly not a bad call, given South Africa’s limited time to prepare.
The local domestic Super Rugby Unlocked/Currie Cup competitions only start on October 10 and then the international players will have to leave for Australia before October 18.
Speaking to reporters via a virtual conference, Springboks Duane Vermeulen admitted they would be at a disadvantage.
But also revealed they sole focus is the Currie Cup for now.
“As a player, you have to be adaptable when you get an opportunity to play,” Vermeulen said.
“Obviously, its difficult circumstances and something everyone is just getting used to, but as players, we have to be adaptable.
“We still don’t know what is going to happen, so we can only focus on what we can control and we can only control the now.
“The only thing we are focussing on now is the Currie Cup, which has been cleared by SA Rugby, and we are not thinking too far ahead”
He added: “‘If the Rugby Championship does go ahead, though, we would be going in with a bit of a disadvantage – as we are just starting a competition, while in Australia and New Zealand have been playing for the last 10 or 11 weeks and already finished their domestic tournaments.
“It would be difficult for us as players, as there was talk from the medical side that you’d need to ideally have played 400-plus minutes before going into an international competition.
“However, as I said, there are others who will decide the way forward.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvCa33hDDr/
Springboks flyhalf Elton Jantjies shared Vermeulen’s sentiments.
The Springboks’ participation in the Rugby Championships has not been confirmed and SA Rugby bosses have pencilled in October 10 to make a call.
“Whether we go to the Rugby Champions or not, the decision is up to the coaches,” Jantjies said, adding: “They are obviously preparing for both scenarios.
“This week is a big week in terms of the old faces and new faces getting alignment and understanding what it takes to be Springbok.
“Having said that our main focus is the Currie Cup ahead,
“And certainly can’t say a lot about the Rugby Champs, but I’m pretty sure the coaches and players are prepared if the Rugby Championships happens.”
– Leezil Hendricks/Rugby365
Comments on RugbyPass
The best outside centre in the world at one point. He will be greatly missed.
2 Go to commentsYip his great for the big moments when needed as a safa really enjoy watching him
4 Go to commentsOne that will start to come up from now on is penalties for back pushes during kick chase scrambles. Very difficult to detect. In Croke Park if you replay the Hendy NH try, you will see Furbank push Porter in the back, who collides with Larmour knocking the ball across into Hendy’s path to dot down. A more significant example was in the RWC QTR final where Arendse pushes Fickou into two other French players for the ball to spill into Arendse’s path for him to gather and run in to score SAs first try. Not cheating if you are not caught and very difficult to spot but with kicking becoming so critical I feel its an area that will referreeed/TMO-ed more.
3 Go to commentsWhat a pathetic little twit Andy Goode is, as if we care what he thinks…..😂
114 Go to commentsFoxy has been a wonderful player for the Scarlets and Wales.
2 Go to commentsNika the Georgian is the best referee in the world at the moment. Luckily we will be spared the shite SH refs and Barnes will hopefully remain retired given how shite and embarrassing he was at the RWC.
3 Go to commentsThis is the most exciting game of the summer imo, as we really won’t know in advance how both teams are going to play. - Will Robertson just reproduce his Crusaders tactics from last year, or will there be a conscious effort to borrow from the Hurricanes and Blues, and from the aspects of the ABs world cup strategy that worked well? - England under Borthwick have put in some good performances playing attacking rugby, and some good performances playing kick-oriented defensive rugby. Will Borthwick try to merge them together into a single all-court game, or will he continue switching between different approaches depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition?
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
9 Go to commentsFinals are always tense affairs for the players so I do not expect this to be a spectacle of running rugby unfortunately.
3 Go to commentsBulls***': Ex-England international calls out Eben Etzebeth… Not to his face but from very far away… after he’d left. Checked to make sure he wasn’t in the building.
114 Go to commentsHopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
7 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
3 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
4 Go to comments