How Nienaber keeps Boks 'focussed'
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber is not allowing COVID-19 pandemic to disrupt his plans of keeping Springboks on top of world rugby.
Sports worldwide has been paused following the outbreak of the deadly global coronavirus.
SA Rugby, and others, have been forced to suspend all national team training camps and business travel as part of a raft of measures in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
In March, SA Rugby revealed that scheduled Springbok alignment camps, Springbok training camps and the SA Rugby Under-20 preparations have all been suspended until April 14.
However, despite the cloud of uncertainty, Nienaber has turned to ‘unusual methods’ to keep the World Cup Champions focussed and mentally prepared for the rest of the season.
The Springboks are set for a two-match series against Scotland which kicks off on Saturday, July 4 in Cape Town, with the two sides meeting again a week later at Jonsson Kings Park in Durban.
That is followed by a historic first home Test for the Springboks against Georgia, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, July 18.
Currently, it looks as though the July internationals are less likely to occur and the Rugby Championship, without significant global improvement in the pandemic, could also go unfulfilled this year.
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“We are in unusual times and with lockdown in place, we have to use unusual methods to keep in contact with our players,” Nienaber revealed on the SA Rugby’s official website.
“We have just finished another alignment camp and are working hard behind the scenes from home, and using the internet, to prepare the players in the best possible way.
He added: “We need to stay focused and prepare them tactically and mentally for the challenges ahead,”
The Springbok coach also had a message for his fellow South Africans: “Please stay at home and only leave to get essential supplies or medical treatment.
“Remember to wash your hands regularly and if you have to go to common areas, make sure that you adhere to the social distancing guidelines.
“We are in this together – but we are also stronger together. As South Africans, if we work together we can flatten the curve. Stay at home and stay safe,” he added.
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