URC adds more strings to Boks' bow
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok lock Marvin Orie believes the move from Super Rugby to the United Rugby Championship will put South Africa in good stead heading into the Rugby Championship.
In the original Super Rugby years, South Africa’s players notched up plenty of game time against the best from New Zealand, Australia and Argentina.
However, all that has changed now with South Africa’s franchises now competing with Europe’s top teams.
Orie, who is a member of the Stormers team that won the inaugural United Rugby Championship, believes that playing in Europe has added some more strings to the Boks’ bow.
“The switch from playing Super Rugby to the United Rugby Championship was challenging at first, as the styles of rugby between the Southern and Northern Hemisphere are different,” Orie explained.
“But I believe it was advantageous for us and that we can apply those learnings to the national team.
“We know the Rugby Championship will be a different challenge, but we have been simulating our training sessions according to what we can expect in the tournament.”
The story continues below…
#ICYMI: The Boks could be in for a big shock if they don’t lift their performance levels for their upcoming matches against the All Blacks. #RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #NewZealand #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL https://t.co/B5TPHl65gv
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) July 30, 2022
Meanwhile, the Springboks are doing some extra analysis work on the All Blacks ahead of their two matches in Nelspruit and Johannesburg.
Jacques Nienaber’s side is probably the best in the world when it comes to set-pieces and forward-orientated game plans, but they are taking nothing for granted in their preparations.
The Boks head into those games as favourites after New Zealand’s poor showing in a 1-2 series defeat to Ireland. However, the Kiwis are hurting and they will be focussing all their frustrations and anger on the Boks to try and re-build their reputation as a feared rugby nation.
“The All Blacks are known to have a strong set-piece and they have got a lot of world class players, especially in the second row,” said Orie.
“I think [Brodie] Retallick has been injured and [Sam] Whitelock missed one game, so it will be a good challenge for us.
“Luckily, we also have some world class locks and the competition within the squad has been good so far.
“We had a good week of preparation so far and we spent a lot of time analysing them and trying to get plans in place for them.
“It’s going to be exciting and it’s going to be challenging, but we had a good week of prep so far and hopefully we will be able to put on a good show next week.”
#ICYMI: Centurion referee Nigel Owens has re-stated his dissatisfaction with the 20-minute red card law trial. #RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #NewZealand #Argentina #Australia https://t.co/8IxmHYMcWE
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) July 30, 2022
