VIDEO: Pietersen's plea for a better product
SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach JP Pietersen questioned what could be done to ensure the United Rugby Championship franchises have sufficient access to their Springboks to remain competitive and retain a strong team culture.
Following his team’s 12-41 drubbing against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, Pietersen was asked how he manages the host of Boks on the Sharks’ books to ensure there is a healthy team culture when those players are unavailable.
The Boks will play an international friendly against the Barbarians on June 20, followed by 12 Tests spread across the Nations Championship (home and away legs), Greatest Rivalry Tour against New Zealand and a one-off Test against the Wallabies in Perth.
As per SA Rugby protocol, Bok players are required to rest a total of eight weeks, with a block of mandatory five consecutive weeks for regular starters in the national team.
When asked if it is difficult to balance player logistics and build a team culture with the regular Boks available only certain times of the season, Pietersen admitted that it’s a tough juggling act and questioned what could be done so that franchises remain competitive throughout the season.
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“They [Springboks] are going away on an alignment camp on Tuesday, so I’ll only see them [again] in two weeks.
“So yes, it is what it is in that sense. Are the Boks winning? Yes, they are.
“I think the actual question regarding the calendar year is how do we make [the player logistics] better for the unions to put out a competitive performance.
“I mean, 41-12 isn’t good for viewing. It’s a one-sided game – if it were 41-40, it would’ve been good for viewing and entertainment.
“It’s all about how we can get better, and we will get better.
“Obviously, culture is the thing – you win in the Bok culture, and in Sharks culture it’s a different story sometimes, make sense?
“It’s just how are you getting it [right]. It’s something I need to figure out as a coach when I took the job, and I will figure it out and get it right.”
