Nienaber gives Bok alignment camp the thumbs up, next step ‘fine-tuning’

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber was happy with the outcome of the first alignment camp of the season which wrapped up in Durban on Tuesday, saying they achieved the goals set out as they stepped up preparations for the coming international season.

A group of 22 players attended the first camp, which featured eight information sessions presented by the coaching team on what the Boks would like to achieve on the field, the processes in being selected for the national squad and touched on several different aspects of the game.

“We are pleased with the outcomes achieved at our first alignment camp and I believe the players have a good idea of what is expected of them on and off the field as we look forward to a challenging international season,” said Nienaber.

“Once we have finalised our squad for the Wales Tests, we will have a training camp where we will put all of the aspects of the game we discussed into practice as we look to fine tune certain areas of our game.”

This alignment camp will be followed by camps with overseas-based players in England and France, as well as virtual meetings, all of which will take place between Saturday 16 and Monday 25 April, and another for local players will take place in Cape Town from Sunday 1 to Thursday 5 May.

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“Hosting these alignment camps will not only save time before our field sessions once the Springbok team get together, but it also gives the players a chance to start improving on certain aspects of their game individually as they continue their provincial commitments in the lead-up to the international season,” explained Nienaber.

“The fine details are essential in winning Test matches, and that is something we tried to drill into the players minds’ at the alignment camp in the different aspects of the game, and hopefully we will reap the rewards of that when we take the field against Wales.

“Every match and training session will be vital for us as we prepare for this season and look further ahead to next year’s Rugby World Cup in France, so the more effective we are in every possible area of our game, the better we will become as a team.”