Bok believes Japan can be one of the 'big dogs'
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Andre Pretorius has been in Japan for 10 months as assistant coach of the Red Dolphins in Hino, Tokyo en confesses that the Japanese have opened his eyes with their tempo and basic skills on the field.
Pretorius and his family exchanged a comfortable lifestyle in Potchefstroom – where he was coach of the Leopards and attack coach for the North West University’s Eagles – for the hustle and bustle of Hino in October last year.
Hino is a city on the western side of the Tokyo Metropolitan and only a 30-minute train ride to central Tokyo.
The Red Dolphins compete in Division Two of Japan’s One League.
The Springbok was appointed to oversee the backs attack and set-piece defence, while he is also responsible for the kicking game strategy.
He has a rugby pedigree of note that most pundits are well aware of.
He has more than 1 500 first-class points to his name and boasts 31 Tests for the Springboks.
He was also one of Jake White’s Springboks who captured the 2007 World Cup in France.
His performance against England in 2006, which included four drop-goals, remains one of his proudest moments on the pitch.
For the Pretorius family, it was big a change when they moved to Hino and one that truly took them out of their comfort zone.
His wife, Claudine, homeschools their oldest daughter, while she also still works for the family business in Potchefstroom.
“But that is the way one learns and grows,” Pretorius said.
“South Africa will always be my home country and we miss family and friends, but we enjoy the new challenge.”
He says the language is still a big barrier, especially as a coach, but he works with an interpreter.
“To coach and lead team meetings through someone else’s tongue was a big adjustment.
“It forces you to learn Japanese as quickly as possible.
“The way they do things is so different, but it is good for me to experience.
“I still have another year left on my contract, so we will see what the future holds.
“We would love to stay in Japan, but in things can change in a week.
“For now, I focus on the Dolphins and our plans for the future,” Pretorius added.
What does he think of the standard of the game in Japan?
“I certainly think they can become one of the big dogs one day,” the Bok said.
“They showed that they have the potential in the previous World Cup.
“They just need the right coaches that can bring expertise but also be willing to respect their culture and way of doing things,” Pretorius explained.
He believes the Japanese have excellent skills.
“They play a very quick game and I think it opened my eyes in terms of basic skills and tempo.
“Like all good players, they have great work ethic and a hunger to learn.”
Looking ahead to the World Cup in France in September, Pretorius predicts that the top teams will dominate, but teams like Japan and Tonga are capable of ambushing the ‘favourites’.
“At every World Cup there are teams that can win, while smaller nations always tend to improve on their knowledge and methods.
“This can lead to an upset for any team.”
