Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was happy with his team’s first training session in Cardiff today ahead of the clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
The Boks had a field session in the afternoon after their arrival from Johannesburg via London earlier in the day.
De Villiers said he had been impressed with the way in which the guys had “switched on” for the session.
“It was fantastic,” he said. “There was great enthusiasm and I was impressed by the way in which the guys gelled when you consider that this is a new team.”
The Boks are in Cardiff without many of their first choice players, most of whom were involved in last weekend’s Vodacom Super 14 final between the Bulls and the Stormers.
“This is a good team and there is a lot of experience but we still have to ensure that we get the most out of the three days we have to prepare. This kind of start is very encouraging and bodes well for the weekend,” De Villiers said.
Three players – Andries Bekker (foot), Juan de Jongh (thigh) and Dewald Potgieter (ribs) – are still nursing injuries but De Villiers is confident that they will recover in time for the Test.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, the Bok coach said that although the Test came at an unusual time in the season it remained an opportunity for him to look at players as part of his broader preparations for Rugby World Cup in 2011.
“There are guys here who have the opportunity to prove themselves and become contenders for places in the squad going forward. It is also an opportuinity for me to look at some overseas-based players who we believe could still offer us something in the future,” he said.
The Bok coach said playing Wales was a great honour for his team on what was to be a special occasion for the home side. He played down Welsh media suggestions that the Boks were “ripe for the picking”.
“You will never know the answer to that question. We come here as a full blooded Springbok side and we expect to perform. It is not in us to field weakened sides and although there are some big names missing this remains a competitive team and our aim is to be successful,” De Villiers said.
@ Ashley:
Ek weet nie of ek emosioneel al reg is vir ‘n ontmoeting nie….
Weet nie of ek al die hartseer na die S14 van jou kant sal kan verwerk nie… 😆
Nee boeta, dit sou moosa lekker gewees het maar ek werk daai tyd. 🙁
Maar die lot van ons armgatte 😉
blouste @ 31
jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa boet
seker maar ons lot, lol
Die Bokke was die span teen wie die Walsmanne die Millennium Stadium ingewy het, nou is dit die 5de herdenking en ons is gevra om weer te speel. Die ooo so korrekte SA se toe sommer dadelik JA. Nee ons kla die kant van rus , te veel speel maar die base bly die games inpak , en dit voor Wereldbeker jaar.
@ Puma:
Think this game is outside the IRB window, club has te right to stop a player then. I might be wrong though, where is Morne he will know.
Butch is playing, situation has been sorted.
BOK TOUR DIARY – ARRIVING IN WALES
Posted: 1 June 2010
A mouse, an over-worked bus driver and funny weather greeted the Springboks after they arrived in the UK on Monday.
Kanko and the mouse
A small Welsh field mouse was woken from its slumber as the Bok pack got to grips with its first scrumming session in Cardiff on Tuesday.
On the first hit and drive, the Bok eight churned up the sodden turf, uncovering the mouse’s comfortable home and giving loosie Ryan Kankowski a scare.
“It’s a rat”, Kanki howled as the surprised brown creature scurried around his muddy boots looking for an escape.
As the bemused Bok scrum continued with its work the brave little mouse busied itself with finding a new home in the thick tufts of grass that had grown around the stationary scrum machine just metres away.
I hope they didnt stand on the bloody mouse now.
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