Interim SA Rugby president Mark Alexander on Thursday described the Newlands indaba as the ‘best two days’ in his career as a rugby administrator.
Alexander, who is set to be officially elected as the new Saru boss on October 27, also said that the indaba won’t be an once-off intervention as SA Rugby are planning on hosting indabas on a regular basis.
“I think the two-day coaching indaba really mapped a new direction for SA Rugby.
“It was the best two days for me as a rugby administrator.
“The proof of the pudding will be in the outcome and I’m glad to say it was solution-driven.
“We certainly hope that won’t be the last. We plan to do this on a regular basis,” he said.
A big talking point at a press-conference following the conclusion of the indaba was South African rugby forming a blueprint of their own, characterised by their own strengths, instead of ‘emulating’ other teams.
“It has been a ground-breaking moment in the history of South African rugby. There was unbelievable openness about the game from the franchise coaches,” Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said
“And we could actually get from the room - instead of trying to follow and emulate other countries, as to realise again the strengths of South Africans and how we can put that in the way we want to play, not who to follow - the way we want to play.”
The Bok coach also highlighted the development of players’ skill-sets to facilitate the alignment between Super Rugby franchises and the national team.
He made specific examples of certain skills, including aerial contesting, saying that if it is set to be part of a core group of skills, the whole country should embrace perfecting it, not just certain sides.
“We have to also look at the core fundamental skills to be enhanced and developed at franchise level where those Super Rugby coaches have more time to coach and to put those things in place, so that when they get to Springbok level - not necessarily gameplans - they are able to play within any gameplan and hone a certain skill.
“Now we can put a blueprint together that is not only for the Super Rugby franchises or for Currie Cup level, but also for developmental level, from Craven Week right up.
“I think we have a few franchises who have been playing brilliantly on attack.
“The misconception out there about ball-in-hand or heads-up or expansive rugby - all those terms that people chant - there has got to be a balance in everything, and we have to play in a way like that but not to the extent that it becomes reckless and stupid and we make mistakes.
“So, what we’re going to do is take bits and pieces of what can work and that will fit the profile of our players in South Africa.
“But the big thing where we’re behind is our skill-set. Decision-making is a key thing for us and it still needs big work.”
There have also been a few new additions to the Springbok coaching staff. Lions defence specialist JP Ferreira will be on board for the end-of-year tour, while Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith has also been added to sharpen the Boks’ attacking skills.
The Springbok mentor also said that Saru will monitor the progress of teams following the intervention, while an indaba specifically for strength and conditioning coaches is also in the cards.
“Saru will make sure that there is a monitoring system that will be available to every franchise from next year. There is also a conditioning indaba coming up for the conditioning coaches in December. There will also be a follow-up for the Super Rugby coaches where only they will meet with the national coaches on the December 12.”
The Star