If it wasn’t already apparent, the reality of what is to come for the Springboks over the next six to eight weeks will kick in big-time this week as Heyneke Meyer and his charges wrap up their preparations on familiar ground before heading to England and the World Cup.
Years of preparations and planning will come to a head as the Boks look to lift the William Webb Ellis Cup for a third time, but before that they’ll dot their i’s and cross their t’s for a final time in Joburg this week.
A busy few days await the 31-man group and the management team. Besides having to attend a farewell function and host signing sessions, the Boks will have a number of training sessions at St Peter’s College in Sunninghill, ensuring every player is fit and ready to go.
While Meyer is confident every member of his squad will be available for selection for the team’s opening match against Japan in Brighton next Saturday, there will still be butterflies in the stomachs of the coach and a few players who’ve battled back from setbacks in the last while.
The biggest injury concern right now is lock Eben Etzebeth.
The first choice No 4 suffered a calf strain last week and while the Bok medical team have stated his tournament participation is not in jeopardy, he might be in a race against time to be fit for the team’s opening match.
“Scans revealed a grade 1 strain,” said Bok doctor Craig Roberts early last week. “He has already started with his rehabilitation and we’re confident that he will be ready for the start of the Rugby World Cup.”
Etzebeth is unlikely to train with his teammates this week. The good news, though, is the players who were nursing injuries during the Rugby Championship and were for the most part spectators at the team’s camp in Durban should all be involved in training in the coming days.
This includes captain Jean de Villiers, No 8 Duane Vermeulen, prop Jannie du Plessis, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and flank Francois Louw.
“Hours and hours of very hard work behind the scenes were put in to ensure the players’ general fitness levels improved, while at the same time bringing injured players back into action,” said the coach.
“When we got together for the first time at the end of June, we had a large number of injured players in the squad while I was also not satisfied with our levels of fitness.
“Although we’ve suffered a high number of injuries during the Rugby Championship, the medical staff have worked very hard to bring players injured earlier in the season back to match fitness.
“It was also remarkable to see the brilliant attitude of the players. They really worked incredibly hard in the last two months and I’m very pleased to say that our general fitness levels have improved considerably.”
After a somewhat disrupted build-up to the World Cup, which saw the Boks win just twice – against a World XV and Argentina – and suffer a number of injuries, Meyer will, more than anything else, be praying he loses no more players in this final week of preparation. Player management will be crucial in the coming days, especially of those players who’re returning from niggles.
The Boks depart South Africa on Friday, on two flights from OR Tambo, and arrive in England early on Saturday morning. - The Star