SA domestic comp: Goalposts shifted again
SPOTLIGHT: The date for the start of South Africa Rugby’s proposed revamped domestic competition now seems to be further away than ever.
SANZAAR and all the governing bodies have been formulating ideas for a revamped version of the Super Rugby competition – following the suspension of all forms of the game due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The revamped domestic competition – reportedly scheduled to kick off on June 5 – will run until August.
Pro14 teams Cheetahs and Southern Kings will also be part of the program.
There have also been talks of the competition being hosted in one location, to eliminate the travel factor.
Speaking to reporters via a video conference, Stormers assistant Snyman played down the notion of a June start and revealed that the team has been solely focused on training – with no set date for a restart in mind.
“The kick-off date keeps on changing,” Snyman said, explaining: “There is no set date for when we want to start playing. For now, it’s all about finishing the daily task as effectively and as soon as we get together as a squad we will see what is the limitations and permutation of training.
He added: “It will be silly of us to say we going to play a rugby game on June 5, if we don’t have a set date.”
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These unprecedented times certainly called for unusual coaching methodology.
Fortunately, technology has made it a little easier for coaches to keep track of players’ fitness.
However, Snyman admitted that it will take some time for them to gain the match fitness required to play Super Rugby.
“We can’t think lockdown will finish and we will play a week after that.
“The guys will need to get used to running into space‚ to accelerate‚ to decelerate and contact.
He added: “Think a lot of the players’ timing will be out, because your sister doesn’t run at the same speed as say Dillyn Leyds in the offload.
“We have given the guys balls with drills to do at home. They have been involved in the eye-gym programme. They are doing eye-gyms drills on their laptops just to work on their visual skills.
“It will take time getting used to running at speed handling the ball,”
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When asked about the changes facing the sports after the global pandemic, Snyman said: “There will be changes. A lot of stuff will not be the same and it is certainly no different for rugby.
“Every year rugby is evolving so we have to adapt to it. We are studying other teams, looking at how they operate and trying to utilize and add that to our game.
“To have smaller squads, more intense preparation for a few players, will be the way forwards until the economy settles and bigger budgets are available.”
He added: “You have to look at multi-skilled players especially when you select a match-day 23-man squad that’s can cover two positions like Godlen Masimla that can play scrumhalf and wing. But keep in mind you also need a specialized player that is good and world-class in one position,”
“However, I don’t think the actual game will change,”
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