VIDEO: Stormers reveal virus master plan
#COVID-19: While officials scramble to find solutions, the Stormers management has come up with creative ways to keep their players active and ‘rugby ready’.
Most teams that travelled outside their respective countries’ borders this past weekend have gone into ‘self-isolation’- like the Lions and Bulls (both returning from Australasia), Crusaders (back from Australia) and Highlanders (returning from Argentina).
The Stormers confirmed that while there will be no team training – as a result of all the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus – their players are allowed to work out at the High Performance Centre at their home base in Bellville.
Coach John Dobson said there is no doubt his players will be working on various aspects of their game.
Dobson said they are “completely respectful of and grateful to” SANZAAR and SARU edicts and instructions.
“There could be a call to action and hopefully at some stage, there is,” Dobson told a media briefing.
“These guys have to stay conditioned,” he said, adding: “It would be irresponsible not too.”
The coach said the safest environment would be the gymnasium at the HPC.
“We can control the hygiene properly,” he said adding that while there will be no team training or team meetings, the players can do individual work.
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They can work on aspects such as catching high balls or do deficit work – like defensive tracking.
“They can do that by themselves or with the coaches a few metres away.
“They will still be working, there is no question about that.”
The Stormers management has placed a ban on gymnasium work at private establishments – outside of the HPC in Bellville.
They have also upscaled their hygiene, have put in place self-monitoring protocols – including temperature and symptom checks.
* Meanwhile Dobson confirmed that Welsh centre Jamie Roberts has opted to stay with the Stormers in Cape Town – despite having to renew his visa.
The initial plan was for Roberts to return to the UK to renew his visa.
However, the restrictions placed on travelling in and out of South Africa from Wednesday, would have left the veteran midfielder stranded in the United Kingdom.
Dobson said Roberts has until the end of April to renew his visa, but would do so at a later stage.
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