There were two major takeaways from the Springboks’ first alignment camp of the year, led by coach Rassie Erasmus.
An expanded group of players gathered in Cape Town this week and participated in two days of gym and boardroom sessions, which followed on from a productive coaches’ workshop last weekend, as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus presented the road map for the season ahead.
Upon reflection, there were two key takeaways that are certainly worth keeping in mind as the Springboks head towards the 2025 season.
The first key takeaway revolved around encouraging dynamics between the younger and older players as Erasmus again looks to share game-time around the squad, while the Springboks plan to find different ways to make full use of the skillset of all the coaches and management team members.
Erasmus was delighted about the way the players gelled and learned from one another: “The message we drove through was that it will take a squad effort to perform this season because it won’t be a group of 23 or 25 players that will be doing it for us this year.
“The so-called older players understand that in order to prolong their careers they’ll have to transfer knowledge to the younger guys, and at the same time the younger guys know the door is open to work their way into the matchday 23.
“We won’t always play the same matchday squad, so it’s beneficial for a younger guy and the coaches to get new ideas, and we plan to do the same with the players abroad, whose alignment camps are starting next week.
“It’s 12 weeks until we get together again, and from a camp perspective, I think the guys really interacted we
Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus will make full use of his coaching team
With the foundation for the season now officially in place Erasmus said one of their objectives was to maximise the skill set within the squad and entire management group to contribute to a more streamlined approach to the year.
“There’s been a lot of talk about Felix, but we have a new dietician in Robyn (Moore) and physiotherapist in Lance (Lemmetjies) and each person has a skill set,” said Erasmus.
“So instead of putting people in departments and judging those specific departments, we plan to work together.
“Felix is a great example of that. He supports and works with all the coaches and is also helping on the technical side. We know him very well, and he gels really well with the players and management.
“It’s similar with Jaco Peyper (Laws and Discipline Advisor). He’s not only a former referee who knows the laws of the game well and a lawyer by profession, he also helps us with communication because he has that skill.
“We also plan to use Sebastian Prim (Sports Scientist) in a wider role than assisting Andy Edwards (Head of Athletic Performance), to allow us to tap into his expertise as a sports scientist.
“So, this year we will really try to bring out those skills and use every bit of experience and energy each person has.”
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