Bok training squad getting prepped

 

The extended squad will come together for the first time in Durban from May 25 – 28

 

The Springboks first taste of action in 2014 will be against the World XV at Newlands in Cape Town on June 7. 

 

This match, against a star-studded invitational side coached by former Springbok coach Nick Mallett, will provide Heyneke Meyer with a perfect opportunity to get his team ready for the rest of the Test season.

 

The Springboks are in action in three Tests in June, playing Wales twice and Scotland in the other.

 

The Springbok Management have been working very hard since the start of the season to ensure everything is in place when they get together for the first time this season.

 

Apart from a comprehensive planning camp held in February, the Springbok coaching team recently had a coaches camp, where they worked hard on all detail relating to training for the season. 

 

Furthermore, breakdown consultant Richie Gray, who was very influential in the step-up the Springboks made in this area of play last year, had been re-appointed in the same position for this season and 2015.

 

“Everyone on the management have been very hard at work in ensuring things go as smoothly as possible, especially behind the scenes – both in South Africa and abroad,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

 

“The assistant coaches and coaching consultants have also been around the country continuously where they worked with the franchises and provincial unions, who have been very accommodating to us.

 

"I think the synergy we have with the provinces is a massive positive in South African rugby at the moment.

 

“All of this puts us in a good position leading up to the season, but ultimately we all realise we have to accelerate and step up a gear when we get together as a group in June.

 

"We have set certain goals for 2014 after enjoying a relatively successful 2013.

 

“It’s our third year together as a team and those have generally been the most challenging seasons for any team looking back at the last decade or so. 

 

"We all know need to make a further step-up from the get go.”

 

The Springbok training squad for the Durban camp will be named in the week of May 19, while the squad for the Incoming Series will be announced on Saturday, May 31. 

 

The final squad of 36 players will get together in Cape Town on June 1 to start the serious preparations for the series.