Rothman assist Vodacom Bulls with fitness levels
Former boxing champ assist Bulls in training
Boxing is fast becoming one of the most effective tools in the rehabilitation from injury of professional rugby players, and the Vodacom Bulls have taken this to the next level with double world champion Sebastiaan Rothmann quite literally in their corner.
Through his work with the Vodacom Bulls strength and conditioning team, the former WBU and IBO cruiserweight champion is helping to provide that 1% that makes such a difference at the elite level of the game.
Rothmann’s extensive boxing experience and his passion for the Pretoria team has combined with Vodacom’s spirit of innovation and a similar passion for the game as a potent one-two that is unlocking a new future in rugby rehabilitation.
“Sebastiaan works very well with our strength and conditioning team and the players. The boxing is a nice add-on not only for the final phase of rehabilitation of players coming back from injury but also for the general conditioning of our players,” said André Volsteedt, the strength and conditioning coach for the Vodacom Bulls.
Rothmann first started working with rugby players in 1998, including Wynand Olivier, Pierre Spies and Francois Hougaard, so he brings 24 years of refining this process to the Vodacom Bulls.
“In boxing, you’re always working on getting the body in the strongest possible position to execute. It’s the same in rugby. Reaction time is also key to both sports. In rugby, it’s that ability to get back into action as soon as you’ve been tackled or have tackled another player. And in boxing, concentration and focus when tired is vital otherwise you’re going to get punched.
“We work on developing that with the rugby players as well; that ability to stay focused in the last few minutes of a physically demanding match when the most mistakes can occur. There is also a lot of lateral movement in boxing, whereas rugby is a more linear sport. So boxing helps to bring a more rounded condition to the player.”
Vodacom Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen is currently working with Rothmann as he returns from a knee injury sustained on the team’s UK tour in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship last year.
And with his own world titles taken care of, Rothmann said his priority right now is playing his part in a new Vodacom United Rugby Championship title shot for the Vodacom Bulls.
