Bok coach pledges to reward Super Rugby form
SPRINGBOK coach Allister Coetzee says he will keep a close watch on how players perform in the final rounds of Super Rugby and has promised to reward form.
Super Rugby resumes this weekend with a full round of fixtures after the international window and Coetzee and his coaching team will be watching the results with interest.
“The players have to continue after the tests and now they are off to their Super Rugby franchises. They have to continue playing well and I will reward form,” Coetzee said.
“We will now have a good wash-up and see where we can polish and get better in certain areas where we can massively improve on. I will be looking at those areas.”
The Boks kick off their bid for honours in the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Nelspruit on August 20.
They also have matches against New Zealand and Australia.
“In some of our aerial skills we can get better and defensively we put on a solid show in the final test in Port Elizabeth.
“In contact skills there are areas where we can also improve. It was a better performance generally from us in the final test.
“It is also the execution of certain kicks that did not go where we wanted them to go. But there is growth. The more we will play together, the more we will get better as team.”
Coetzee said what had impressed him about the Bok squad was their attitude and never-say-die spirit.
“Regarding the resilience, fight, character and attitude, I am really pleased. If there is anywhere I would like to start as a coach and see what a team should have then those are the ingredients. So I am very happy with that.”
Bok skipper Adriaan Strauss, who will be in action for the Bulls against the Jaguares in Argentina this weekend, feels his team have progressed since the opening test defeat at Newlands.
“We have progressed, but there is still a lot of work to do,” Strauss said.
“Technically and tactically, we can be better, but it was good to come out of the Irish series with a win. It was a tough series.
“I am proud of the step up we made in Port Elizabeth.”
Lions captain Warren Whitely will lead his team in what promises to be a fascinating Super Rugby clash against the Sharks on Saturday.
The Southern Kings, who are out of contention to reach the final stages, will resume their season with a home match against the Highlanders in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The Kings conclude their season with tough away matches against the Lions in Johannesburg and the Stormers in Cape Town.
The weekend fixtures are: Friday: Chiefs v Crusaders, Brumbies v Reds. Saturday: Sunwolves v Waratahs, Hurricanes v Blues, Rebels v Stormers, Cheetahs v Force, Lions v Sharks, Kings v Highlanders, Jaguares v Bulls.