Wanderers gives its players individual training programmes in lieu of the Coronavirus

The coronavirus has halted practices at Wanderers Rugby Club, but its members are still training at home and at the gym with specific routines set out by their coaches.

The Golden Lions Rugby Union has put a hold on rugby in Gauteng, with a provisional date for pre-season to resume in mid-April and leagues to start around the end of that month. That is if the coronavirus situation does not get worse.

Wanderers Rugby Club head coach, Neil Kalify said players had been training for three months before the stoppage of team practices. “We had two friendly matches recently which we have used as trials for our teams,” he said.

“I believe we have the right players and I am happy with the depth we have. The club is in a good space and the players are happy and flourishing despite everything.”

He believes if players are disciplined in their individual training now, they will not lose what they gained during the last three months.

Last year, Wanderers won the highest-tier club rugby league in Gauteng, the Kevin de Klerk Trophy. This qualified them to represent the union at the Gold Cup to take place at the end of April and in June.

Kalify hopes to retain the Kevin de Klerk Trophy this year and also beat the clubs representing the country’s other unions at the Gold Cup.

A third friendly of the season would have pitted Wanderers against the next three best clubs in Joburg and the top four clubs in Pretoria, including Naka Bulle, at Loftus Versveld on 21 March. This had to be cancelled.

Wanderers sports teams from U7 to U18 level, then U19 and U21 teams, three senior sides and a women’s team.

“Wanderers is a club with camaraderie. The players and coaches have a wealth of knowledge and everyone involved enjoys what they do.”

Details: Wanderers Rugby Club contactus@canderersclub.co.za; 011 788 5010/11/12.

Related article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/219667/wanderers-rugby-club-is-even-better-than-before/