Bonding camp helps Springboks regain mojo
Sep 8, 2017 - 6:46 AM It hasn't been a stroll in the park to get South African rugby back on track, but a walk along the beach has helped.Last November, Springboks coach Allister Coetzee looked to be a dead man walking after overseeing a year that yielded just four wins from 12 Tests.
Such a poor return is unfathomable in a country that prides itself on its rugby prowess.
But the South African Rugby Union decided to give Coetzee another shot, and a trust-building camp in June proved to be a turning point for the side.
The Springboks have won all five of their Tests this year, and will aim to make it No.6 on Saturday night in the Rugby Championship clash with the Wallabies in Perth.
"At the beginning of the year, we set ourselves a team culture," stand-in captain Eben Etzebeth said.
"We got to spend a few weeks together, just us.
"We did lots of off-field activities and team building stuff.
"We were in Plettenberg Bay, just walking along the beach - very romantic. Stuff like that."
The Springboks were impressive in June's 3-0 sweep of France, and they put in two powerful performances last month against Argentina.
The Wallabies will be South Africa's toughest test to date this year, and Etzebeth says his team are up for the challenge.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Coetzee demanding Springboks beat Wales Dec 1
- Boks hand first starts to Du Preez, Gelant Nov 30
- Boks steamroll Italy to avenge 2016 loss Nov 25
- Boks hoping Etzebeth fit to face Italy Nov 20
- Vermeulen, Pollard in for beleaguered Boks Nov 16
- Battered Boks call on Vermeulen for France Nov 13
- Boks seek consistency in Irish examination Nov 9
- Sth Africa recommended for Rugby World Cup Oct 31
- Du Preez ruled out of Boks' European tour Oct 30
- Four uncapped players for Boks in Europe Oct 29
- Boks skipper to miss end-of-year tour Oct 12
- Mtawarira out of All Blacks showdown Oct 5