Stick explains Boks' objectives behind backing youngsters
SPOTLIGHT: SA ‘A’ coach Mzwandile Stick unpacked the Boks’ thought process and objectives of selecting promising young players to enter the senior set-up.
The question was related to Sharks breakout star Zekhethelo Siyaya, who just a year ago wrote his Matric (final high school year) exams and now finds himself in a Springbok environment.
*Also read: SA ‘A’ coach Stick explains captaincy choice between Tshituka and Am
Siyaya, alongside several other youngsters, will get their first taste of wearing the green and gold at senior level when facing the Zimbabwe Sables on Saturday, June 20, in Gqeberha.
Stick praised the youngster’s rapid rise and highlighted his positive attributes.
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“One thing about him [Zekhethelo Siyaya] I can tell you – if you look at him from the outside, just watching him play for the Sharks, there’s no doubt that he’s a very special player with a good head on him.
“Since we started working with him, he doesn’t speak much; he’s just a smiley guy who always smiles and says ‘yes, coach’.
“I’m glad that we’re getting an opportunity [as coaches] to work with him whilst he is still at that age.
“I’ll be honest, it’s not easy to come into the Bok setup and rub shoulders with the likes of Eben [Etzebeth] and Siya Kolisi, etc for someone who was in school last year.”
Stick explained the Boks’ reasoning for hosting alignment camps and their approach to improving players entering the system before they return to their franchises.
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“We always want to ensure we give players an opportunity at a young age where they can rub shoulders [with the seniors] – that’s why we have alignment camps. They must get used to each other.
“We always say, when players come into this environment, we want to empower them, even if they are 19 or 20 years old.
“The more you take responsibility for what needs to be done, the more you become a leader within your space.
“I feel that at the moment, the more we empower those boys, and the more they understand how we operate at the Springboks, the better for them.
“Once again, half of them played Junior Boks and one of them represented the BlitzBoks [Luan Giliomee], so in terms of mindset, coming from a senior environment when you go into a Junior World Cup does boost you mentally. It helps, motivates and gives players confidence.
“I know one thing for sure, once these players are done here with us, those who are selected for the Junior Boks will have had a massive impact on their mindset on how to operate.
“Hopefully that’s the standard they can also implement in their game going forward.”
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